Heavy Load  12A

SCREENING

8pm Monday 24 November 2008

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director, Jerry Rothwell, and the producer, Al Morrow, and, we hope, members of the band.
Heavy Load are Brighton's answer to The Ramones.   A punk outfit subject to the combustible flux of ego, ambition, fantasy, expectation and desire that fuels any emerging band.   But they’re also uniquely, made up of musicians with and without learning disabilities.  Over the last 10 years they have managed to survive through their combination of raucous energy, attitude and sheer volume.   Now the team behind Deep Water have made a documentary (subtitled A Film About Happiness) about their journey from social care to stardom, and back again, and their mission to demonstrate that disability rocks.   There are few genres left in music that have yet to be defined.   Heavy Load have unwittingly created a brand new one.

BBFC advice:  Contains one use of strong language

"I fell in love with them because they were happy," says director Jerry Rothwell of Sussex punk band Heavy Load, several of whose middle-aged members have learning disabilities.  Shot over a two-year period, this warm and perceptive rockumentary follows the group in its efforts to record an album (nattily titled The Queen Mother's Dead) and play gigs at mainstream music venues.   The film demolishes stereotypes of the mentally challenged, celebrating the energy, desires and ambitions of its protags.   There's charismatic singer Simon, who adds swearwords to cover versions, the laid-back Jim with his passion for nature and rambling and drummer Michael, who hopes to live independently and find a girlfriend.   Lyrically, meanwhile, it's clear these boys have talent: "We love George Michael because he's gay all week and gay at weekends."
Tom Dawson, Total Film

“Jerry Rothwell’s engaging documentary follows a punk band from East Sussex on a crusade to change care practices for adults with learning disabilities.  The action is dominated by Michael, the Down’s Syndrome drummer who becomes convinced he’s the band’s driving force.  But, while his Spinal Tap tantrums form the core of this delightful odyssey, there are also sympathetic profiles of Simon, the wild singer, and Jimmy, the methodical guitarist, as well as support workers Mick and Paul, whose efforts keep the group together.  Rothwell even finds time to question his own motives, as he realises that his desire to feed off the combo’s excitement is sapping its energy and enthusiasm.   Verdict: an engaging documentary.”
Patrick Peters, Empire

UK RELEASE 3 October 2008

DIRECTOR Jerry Rothwell

CAST (documentary)

RUNNING TIME 91 minutes

COUNTRY UK

official film website
IMDb film information