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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
Shantell Town
Paulette James
average rating from 10 members 
       
comedy | 2006 | London | 10 min
Published 11 Sep 07
Shantell must step up and find her feet on the street, in the battle to find out who’s "Super Bad".
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synopsis
The story of Shantell Town is set in present day Brixton but our heroine would rather be in the 70’s, the time of the Afro. The only time Shantell feels good about herself is when she’s dancing to her favourite track in her bedroom because as soon as she steps outside Miranda and Melissa are there to laugh at her. They’re Hip Hop girls and think Shantell needs to get with the times. They think hair should be straight not an Afro. Todd is the young man who’s affection they all want, but Shantell knows she needs to find her own confidence to win his heart and put Miranda and Melissa in their place.
short fact
"I had the script for 3 years before deciding to just go for it and get it made. A great experience where all the elements came together beautifully."
view filmmaker's notes
crew
  • director Paulette James
  • writer Paulette James
  • producer Paulette James
  • editor Edward Line
  • director of photography Jonathan Harvey
  • sound Ed Railton/Ben Wiffen
  • music Mister Who, Unique Hastings, Audiowax, Nicole St. George, La-Shawn
  • art director Jonnie Elf
  • stylist Amber
  • 1st assistant director Wayne Gordon
  • hair & make-up Lee Appleton
    		•
    cast
    • Shantell Nicole Smith
    • Miranda Tara Brown
    • Melissa Mellicia Le Host
    • Todd Unique Hastings
    • Raheem Mister Who
    festivals, awards and screenings include:
  • Winner, Best director and Best Female Actor, BFM International Film Festival, London 2007
  • San Francisco Black Film Festival June 2007
  • UK Film Centre at Cannes Film Festival May 2007
  • Centro Cultural Banco Do Brasil Brasilia, Brazil May 2007
  • Girls On Film April 2007
  • Nominated Best Short - Pumelo International Film Festival India March 2007
  • Best International Short - Images of Black Women Film Festival March 2007
  • Halloween Short Film Festival January 2007
  • Raindance Film Festival October 2006
    • format
    digital
    budget
    £1300
    © 2006 Paulette James

    comments
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    comment by Loud  Savlon
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    posted Jan 19, 2008

    By far one of the most amusing and well put together films on here.

    Great use of humour; intelligent shots; very good script (where you show us not tell us)

    Excellent. Really.

    comment by Lucia  Nicolai
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    posted Sep 20, 2007

    It is enjoyable and I guess Shantell could be Tarantino's next icon. From a non-British point of view, as mine, it could be hard to get for International audiences, as it's something maybe too linked to the London trends. It could not be that obvious that the girls are battling it out because one is the retro and the other 2 are the modern interpretation of divas. It's sooo funny, though, when you see Todd with his afro hair: what a girl can do hey?

    Lucia  Nicolai is Head of Editorial at Qoob and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
    comment by danny  bridge
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    posted Sep 16, 2007

    Loved the humour. Great cast. I imagine they are all friends. Great to show that conflict can be lighthearted. Enjoyed it!
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    This film screened at and was selected by the BFM Film Festival
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