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Most Popular British Indie 2023
An exceptional year for British cinema; captured in our collection of the year's most popular.
It’s the year of the new. Names like Oakley, Edwards, Campbell and Regan told forceful stories of ordinary people. Privilege and power yielded to a focus on real and recognisable lives. The workers rose up.
Blue Jean Blue Jean
Drama 2022 97 mins Director: Georgia Oakley
A closeted PE teacher reckons with her identity during Thatcherite Britain in Georgia Oakley’s delicate yet gripping BAFTA-nominated debut.
Scrapper Scrapper
Comedy 2023 90 mins Director: Charlotte Regan
A gorgeous and colourful heart-warming gem from Charlotte Regan, one of the best new voices in British film.
God's Creatures God's Creatures
Drama 2022 100 mins Director: Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer
Paul Mescal and Emily Watson star in this gripping Irish psychological drama that asks how far you might go to protect someone you love.
Enys Men Enys Men
Horror 2022 91 mins Director: Mark Jenkin
Mark Jenkin follows Bait with this chilling, endlessly mysterious folk horror tale, beautifully shot on grainy 16mm.
Pretty Red Dress Pretty Red Dress
Drama 2022 110 mins Director: Dionne Edwards
One dress changes everything for a family in Dionne Edwards’ brilliant debut. Defiant, uplifting and with music at its core.
LOLA LOLA
Science Fiction 2022 79 mins Director: Andrew Legge
Two sisters in WWII Britain invent a machine that can decode TV broadcasts from the future, in this irresistible found-footage sci-fi that buzzes with timeless ingenuity.
Nil by Mouth Nil by Mouth
Drama 1997 129 mins Director: Gary Oldman
Twenty-five years old and newly restored, Gary Oldman’s BAFTA-winning debut as writer-director remains a magnificent achievement.
Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth
Period drama 2017 89 mins Director: William Oldroyd
Florence Pugh shines in this exceptional British debut of a young wife's need for freedom, whatever the cost.
Beast Beast
Drama 2018 106 mins Director: Michael Pearce
The hunt for a Jersey serial killer sparks a dangerous awakening in a young woman in this astonishing psycho-sexual thriller.
Muscle Muscle
Drama 2019 111 mins Director: Gerard Johnson
A directionless call centre salesman gets more than he bargained for when he joins a local gym, in Gerard Johnson's stunning dissection of masculinity.
All My Friends Hate Me All My Friends Hate Me
Comedy 2022 94 mins Director: Andrew Gaynord
A deliciously dark comedy about social paranoia that will have you joyfully squirming in your seat.
Dance Craze Dance Craze
Documentary 1981 89 mins Director: Joe Massot
Legendary film that brilliantly captures the cultural phenomenon that was the 2 Tone movement, and showcases the very best of the British Ska revival.
Deep End Deep End
Drama 1970 92 mins Director: Jerzy Skolimowski
Jerzy Skolimowski’s darkly comic and utterly compelling story of teenage infatuation in a run-down swimming pool.
Bullet Boy Bullet Boy
Drama 2005 86 mins Director: Saul Dibb
Ashley Walters impresses in the hard-hitting Hackney drama that’s still one of the best of Britain’s black urban crime films.
I Am Weekender I Am Weekender
Documentary 2023 72 mins Director: Wiz and Chloé Raunet
Groundbreaking music film, coupled with Chloé Raunet’s documentary about the making of the film, offering an insight into the heart of acid house.
Days of the Bagnold Summer Days of the Bagnold Summer
Comedy 2019 86 mins Director: Simon Bird
A warm and witty graphic novel adaptation about a single librarian trying to reconnect with her introverted, metalhead teenage son.
Ray & Liz Ray & Liz
Drama 2018 104 mins Director: Richard Billingham
In this personal film, Richard Billingham delves into his upbringing to recreate family memories and desperate living in Thatcher’s Britain.
Name Me Lawand Name Me Lawand
Documentary 2022 90 mins Director: Edward Lovelace
Edward Lovelace explores the power of communication and community with this rapturous portrait of a young deaf Kurdish boy.
Justine Justine
Drama 2021 82 mins Director: Jamie Patterson
A young woman struggles with her demons, in this arresting sophomore feature from Tucked (Flare 2019) director Jamie Patterson.
Flux Gourmet Flux Gourmet
Comedy 2022 112 mins Director: Peter Strickland
This darkly comic tale from Peter Strickland is a fantastic feast for the senses, starring Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie.
The Appointment The Appointment
Horror 1981 89 mins Director: Lindsey C. Vickers
An evil and enigmatic entity throws a family into turmoil in Lindsey C. Vickers' much sought-after cult horror.
Discover more in our Most Popular World Cinema 2023 collection.
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