When film historians look back at the last decade in British cinema, the genre (and it seems to be one) of ‘low-budget action-thriller’ is unlikely to be well regarded. Generally a synonym for ‘badly written gangster flick’, the usual formula for such movies is to combine former Eastenders cast members, with lots of swearing, a few guns and less tension than a children’s birthday party.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this, and Cleanskin is certainly one. Tense, intelligent and with well developed characters, it shows just what can be done with a shoestring budget and a talented writer.
Earlier this week we headed down to Mayfair for the film’s premiere, where we spoke to the cast and director about the controversial subject matter, the potential audience reaction and the attraction of smaller budget British features.
HADI HAJAIG – Driector
On the controversial subject matter
I wanted to make a genre film, an exciting, commercial entertainment film. A thriller. A non-stop thriller and as a writer you always reflect on what’s happening around you. All the stuff that’s been happening around the world over the last ten years is a good reflection on what would happen in the film. People are always inspired by what’s happening around them, but it’s not at the expense of a good, forward moving thriller.
On the broad-stroke characterisation of the radical cleric
You’d be surprised, there are lots of characters like that. I actually think he’s one of the most realistic characters in the film. These guys don’t attract followers by being mean and nasty, they attract followers by being Pied Pipers and being funny.
ABHIN GALEYA – Ash
On playing a terrorist
A lot of things I’ve read on the subject portray the characters two-dimensionally, and it becomes a political, expositional tale, but this – Hadi did a lot of research, I think he wanted to tell it as a human story. How did someone, from being an innocent soul, cross that line and do something totally evil? I had to put my own political views aside and just think about him as a human, otherwise I’d be playing a caricature, just playing the villain of the piece. That was the only way I could think about it. This is a character in a story, it’s not based on real life, there are aspects that Hadi has researched, but it’s not real.
On the reaction of the audience
I don’t know what the audience is going to make of it. It’s obviously a controversial subject, and people will have their own views, but I think it will open up people’s minds. A lot of what you read in newspapers, or watch on TV about this subject, they try to make it black and white, but it’s actually a grey area that needs further exploration. This film delves into that grey area. People are going to have strong feelings about it. I don’t know what those feelings will be, it depends on what you feel about that topic.
On the similarities between his character, Ash and Sean Bean’s character, Ewan
When I first read it I could see there was a clear parallel in their journeys. They do different things, but their own crisis of identity is very similar. They’re always on that line between good and evil, they’re never on one side forever. That’s where they’re very alike in that sense, but their ideologies are different. That was quite interesting too for me.
SEAN BEAN – EWAN
On the attraction of smaller, British films
I think as a general rule they tend to be more thought provoking and profound. Rich stories, [based on] what’s happening in the world, you tend to get a good crew and a good cast with British film, and if you’re talking about a subject like this, that’s the sort of thing I find quite challenging. It’s a thought-provoking piece of work, and it does challenge an audience, and I think that’s what film should do, as well as being entertaining.
MICHELLE RYAN – Emma
On her small but significant role
I originally met for the role of Kate. I wasn’t right for it, I ended up being too old, I think. I found the script really interesting. You read a lot of rubbish, but you occasionally get some gems that come in and I just felt that this script really had something interesting to say, and it’s very direct. It’s not really sympathising with anybody, it’s just telling a story and when the director called me and said, ‘will you come back and play this role? She’s waitressing to put herself through uni, she’s bright, funny and got her whole life ahead of her…’ I won’t give away what happens, but it’s pretty blunt. I thought it was just really fun and interesting, and as long it doesn’t give away to the people coming to see it, I think it’s quite a twist. You think, ‘what’s she going to do?’ and then it’s cut off.
