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1 Day the movie

Impressive aerial views of the city are intermingled with chase scenes through the Bullring Shopping Centre, rival gangs on street corners, class A drugs and violent scenes of gun crime.

1 Day War Song

Concerns have been raised in Birmingham's communities over whether a film like this should be made in Birmingham? Will the film encourage young people to join gangs and use guns? Is it right that some West Midlands cinemas have decided to ban the film or is all the negative hype un-necessary?

1 Day the movie on Phil Upton's Breakfast Show

BBC WM’s Phil Upton Breakfast Show explored some of the controversy surrounding the locally made film 1 Day due to be released in UK cinemas on 6 November 2009.

Listen again to the interviews featured on the show including: 1 Day script writer and film director Penny Woolcock, lead actor Dylan Duffus who plays Flash, Chris Dyer from Safer Birmingham Partnerships and Derrick Campbell a government advisor on gun and knife crime.

Angel threatens Flash

Gangland Birmingham?

The film has faced much criticism for how Birmingham is portrayed as a gangland city. Strategic Lead Officer for Safer Birmingham Partnership Chris Dyer says the film offers a view on certain parts of society in certain communities. Gun crime government advisor Derrick Campbell says the film isn’t saying anything new and certainly doesn’t caricature the day to day experience of people who live in the city.

“Sadly the film misses a great opportunity of painting a picture of work that is being done to help hundreds of young people out of that lifestyle,” says Derek.

Flash starts to feel under pressure

From barber to film star

Shot on location in and around Handsworth, the film's entire cast of actors are all from the local streets. Nearly 300 people from the community auditioned during 3 days of open casting. Local talented singers, music producers and actors were picked for the parts in front and behind the camera.

Dylan Duffus, from Handsworth, plays the lead character Flash in the film. He’s trained as barber but always dreamed of working in the film industry. In an interview with Phil Upton, Dylan talks about how he got involved with the film project.

1 Day film director Penny Woolcock

The reality behind the headlines

Film director Penny Woolcock is no stranger to Birmingham. Her 1997 screen drama, Macbeth on the Estate, was filmed on the Ladywood estate. Over a hundred local people from the estate took part in the film, in front and behind the camera.

Phil spoke to Penny about her inspiration behind 1 Day and her thoughts on some of the negative reaction the film has received. A BBC WM caller also had an opportunity to put questions to Penny.

Woolcock explains: “Excluded and marginalised young people are starting to fight amongst themselves and kill each other. Cemeteries are full of young people whose lives have been cruelly cut short; I wanted to look at the reality behind that. In terms of the film not having a positive message I think shows that life ‘on road’ leads either to prison or the cemetery.”

Behing the scenes

Made in the West Midlands

Screen West Midlands helped to fund 1 Day and played an active role throughout the entire production process. The regional funding organisation has also received strong criticism for using public money to fund a film that some say promotes gun crime and gang violence.

Screen West Midlands Executive Producer Lee Thomas feels very strongly that the film doesn’t promote gun crime.

1 Day War Song

Talking to Phil he explains: “Most people can tell the difference between fact and fiction.

"What we’ve done is tap into a deep vein of talent in the region and told a story that will attract an audience of a younger generation that may be tempted into that kind of lifestyle and actually see that it leads nowhere.”

2 Crews, 1 City, 24 Hrs

1 Day in UK cinemas

1 day is due to be released in cinemas across the UK on 6 November 2009 showing in the following cinemas across Birmingham and the Black Country.

(CERT 15, 101 mins)

SHOWCASE BIRMINGHAM: Kingsbury Road (A38), Erdington, B24 9QE, 0871 220 1000

VUE STAR CITY: Star City, Unit 29, Watson Rd, Nechells, Birmingham, B7, 0871 224 0240

EMPIRE CINEMA: Bristol Rd, Rubery, Rednal, Birmingham, B45, 0871 471 4714

CINEWORLD WOLVERHAMPTON: Bentley Bridge Leisure Park, Wednesfield Way, Wolverhampton WV11 1TZ, 0871 200 2000

SHOWCASE WALSALL: Bently Mill Way, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 0LE, 0871 220 1000
SHOWCASE DUDLEY: Castle Gate Way, Dudley, DY1 4TA, 0871 220 1000

Watch clips from the movie 1 Day