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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
No Ordinary Joe
Jules Nurrish
average rating from 24 members 
       
drama | 2005 | London | 12 min
Published 31 Aug 07
Inspired by playwright, Joe Orton, teenager Matt discovers some revealing truths.
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this film contains strong language, scenes of a sexual nature and adult themes
synopsis
No Ordinary Joe tells the story of Matt, a teenage boy living a seemingly ordinary life in London, but inspired by the English gay playwright Joe Orton, he begins to realise just how different his world could be. It is a coming-of-age story that doesn’t hide from sexuality but confronts it directly, aiming to create a realistic but poetic representation of discovery. It is a contemporary drama about being young, feeling different, and wanting more.
short fact
"I wanted to make a film that was based somehow on Joe Orton's Diaries. Transporting Orton's voice to a contemporary London setting, I was interested to see if I could tell a story of a young man's self-discovery, but rather than telling a conventional coming-of-age story, have the narrative driven by Orton's voice. I did not use actual pieces from the published Diaries, instead opting to write the narrative myself, in the often outrageous style of Orton. It was challenging to try and successfully make the main character believable, while creating a voiceover narrative that belonged to a semi-fictional Orton."
crew
  • director Jules Nurrish
  • writer Jules Nurrish
  • producer Alex Thiele
  • editor Megan Frazer
  • director of photography Andy Whale
  • sound Lin Sangster
  • music Lin Sangster
  • assistant director Todd Downing
  • art director Brixton Brady
  • sound mix Aidan McCarthy
  • gaffer Kevan Noble
  • sound recordist Ashley Bond
  • camera assistant Leo Osterrieth
  • production co-ordinator Torsten Schwjck
  • script supervisor Yo-Yo Tayler
  • wardrobe Selina Robertson
    		•
    cast
    • Matt Alexis Gregory
    • Steven Will Irvine
    • Joe Matt Warman
    • Gary Harry Capehorn
    • Mom Jackie Howe
    • Dad Michael O'Flaherty
    • Nicky Rebecca Probyn
    festivals, awards and screenings include:
  • London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2005 (nominated for Channel 4 Best Short)
  • Queer Up North (Manchester) 2005
  • Frameline (San Francisco) 2005
  • Outfest (Los Angeles) 2005
  • Miami LGFF 2005
  • Seattle LGFF 2005
  • Mix Brasil 2005
  • Milan LGFF 2005
  • Hamburg LGFF 2005
  • Lisbon LGFF 2005
  • Austin LGFF 2005
  • Indianapolis LGFF 2005
  • Philadelphia LGFF 2005
  • Vinokino (Finland) 2005
  • Mardis Gras Queer Film Festival (Sydney) 2006
  • Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2006
  • Mix Mexico 2006
  • Inside Out (Toronto) 2006
  • East End Film Festival (London) 2006
    • format
    digital
    budget
    3000 pounds
    © 2005 Jules Nurrish

    comments
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    comment by Nick  Barrett
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    posted Jan 2, 2008

    I thought this was a sweet little homage to Joe Orton and to a gay character's 'awakening', the toilet scene was very nicely lit as opposed the rather bland 'reality' scenes, but maybe that was the point.... The actor who played Orton himself got the arrogance and fruitiness spot on, though the lead in this piece could have done a little more with expression and intonation of dialogue to make us truly empathise... A good idea that reminded me of the classic british kitchen sink films of the forties n fifties with their around the breakfast table family scenes and cheeky best mate (e.g. saturday night/sunday morn, taste of honey, billy liar etc), well done!
    comment by Luke  Flegg
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    posted Oct 15, 2007

    that line "it all ends in disappointment but there is beauty along the way" pretty much sums up this whole story. shot quite blandly..but was interesting nonetheless. apart from the mum, some quite sweet acting. nice to see a film on these themes in a nice style like this
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    comment by Lucia  Nicolai
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    posted Sep 20, 2007

    A striking mix of universal romance and outrageous storytelling. Beautiful, in every single scene.

    Lucia  Nicolai is Head of Editorial at Qoob and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
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