This film is part of Rentals
Andy the Furniture Maker
How did a cute, gay Essex boy go from oyster fishing to becoming the toast of the London arts scene?
Director: Paul Oremland
Overview
Andy, a laddish Essex boy with a knack for creating gorgeous furniture from found wood, has had a life packed with excitement. He tells a string of riveting anecdotes with his trademark cocky swagger in this fondly remembered documentary. From his work as a rent boy to a spell stealing cars to his discovery by filmmaker Derek Jarman, Andy makes for a hilariously blunt and bawdy raconteur.
Andy the Furniture Maker remains the best known episode of Six of Hearts, an LGBT-themed series of documentaries made for Channel 4. It’s an invigorating glimpse of the 1980s gay scene, with visits to long-extinct Earl’s Court gay bars and rare on-screen appearances by stars of the 80s queer counterculture. Valuable commentary is provided by Jarman, production designer Christopher Hobbs and Royal Academy curator Norman Rosenthal, but Andy is undoubtedly the star of the show, cutting an iconic dash as he forages for arts materials in London wastelands or spins his latest outrageous story.
Related
Lilting Lilting
Drama 2014 86 mins Director: Hong Khaou
Ben Whishaw stars in an intimate portrait of two strangers brought together by the common language of grief.
Entertaining Mr Sloane Entertaining Mr Sloane
Comedy 1970 94 mins Director: Douglas Hickox
Joe Orton’s delicious slice of suburban perversity, in which Beryl Reid’s lascivious landlady and her gay brother attempt to seduce their psychopathic tenant.
Caught Looking Caught Looking
Drama 1991 35 mins Director: Constantine Giannaris
Years before Grindr, a gay man turns to virtual reality to satisfy his sexual fantasies in this strangely prophetic short film.
A Bit of Scarlet A Bit of Scarlet
Documentary 1996 71 mins Director: Andrea Weiss
Billed as 'a kind of post-modern queer soap opera for Britain', Andrea Weiss' documentary tells a sharp story.
Rebel Dykes Rebel Dykes
Documentary 2021 91 mins Director: Harri Shanahan and Sîan Williams
A brilliant and refreshing story of UK post-punk dyke culture, told by those who lived it.
Ammonite Ammonite
Biopic 2021 118 mins Director: Francis Lee
Francis Lee follows up God’s Own Country with a film that is every bit as immersive, tactile and emotionally powerful, aided by the devastatingly good Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.
Mysterious Ways Mysterious Ways
Drama 2023 90 mins Director: Paul Oremland
Paul Oremland’s impassioned drama is a searing critique of the church’s attitude towards the LGBTQI+ community.
A Boy Called Mary A Boy Called Mary
1986 52 mins Director: Paul Oremland
The fabulous life and times of queer writer Kris Kirk, who became one of the UK’s most influential music journalists.
Tides of Laughter Tides of Laughter
1986 49 mins Director: Paul Oremland
A female ‘end-of-the-pier’ double act find out a surprising secret about their landlady - and about each other.
Tall Dark Stranger Tall Dark Stranger
1986 48 mins Director: Paul Oremland
Are you ready to strut your stuff? Take a bracing, sexy cruise around the diverse 1980s gay scene.
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.
Plainclothes Plainclothes
Drama 2025 97 mins Director: Carmen Emmi
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey lead a Sundance-prize winning ensemble in this knockout cruising drama from debut director Carmen Emmi.
What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?
Documentary 2005 45 mins Director: Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s second collaboration with pop band Saint Etienne traces the hidden history of East London’s Lower Lea Valley before its Olympic makeover.
Young Hearts Young Hearts
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Anthony Schatteman
A gentle and sincere story of queer love between two young teenage boys, told with warmth and humour.
Finisterre Finisterre
Documentary 2003 59 mins Director: Kieran Evans and Paul Kelly
A journey from London’s suburbs to its heart, charting the influence of the city on indie pop band Saint Etienne.
This Is Tomorrow This Is Tomorrow
2007 54 mins Director: Paul Kelly
The final part of Saint Etienne and Paul Kelly’s London trilogy follows the renovation and reopening of the Royal Festival Hall through 2005-7.