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Urchin
The debut feature from actor Harris Dickinson sees a homeless addict get a shot at recovery and redemption.
Director: Harris Dickinson
Overview
Sleeping rough on the London streets, Mike is hustling to get by. His unreliable friend refuses to return the money he stole, and an altercation with a stranger finds Mike in trouble with the law. Struggling to escape a spiral of impulsivity and substance abuse, a series of unexpected encounters seem to offer him a second chance, something he must balance with his own itch for self-destruction.
Urchin draws on director Harris Dickinson's own experiences supporting people facing homelessness and addiction. The result is a character-driven film that captures, with raw authenticity, the complex cycles of self-destruction and the cracks in broken systems. Alongside its compelling social realism, the film shines with experimental flourishes and technical brilliance. Frank Dillane is a revelation as Mike, drawing comparisons with David Thewlis in Mike Leigh's Naked; even when Mike's behaviour is difficult to watch, Dillane’s performance maintains a vein of compassion that grounds the film’s deep humanism. Urchin was made with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding.
drug misuse, strong language, sex references
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