Every so often, a British film-maker delivers a low-budget independent film that far exceeds the output of the famous directors and massive Hollywood studios. ‘My Feral Heart’ is a fine example of that. Directed by Jane Gull, and starring Steven Brandon, this film won fourteen international awards, yet is little-known in this country. Thanks to BBC 4, I was able to watch it, and I will say from the start that it is exceptional.
This is the story of Luke, a young man with high-functioning Down’s Syndrome. He lives with his mother, and he is her carer. He feeds her, goes out to get the shopping, even bathes her and dresses her. He is completely devoted to her. Then one morning, he finds her dead in bed, and his routine life is shattered. Despite his obvious capabilities, the fact that he has Down’s Syndrome means the authorities will no longer allow him to live in the family home.
Against his will, he is taken to live in a care home, with other young adults who have learning difficulties.
At least the staff are kind to him, especially day manager, Eve, (Shana Swash) who takes a shine to him and allows him an element of freedom. Luke uses that freedom to go shopping for the care home, and to wander the rural district of Essex where he now lives.
Some men arrive to look after the gardens of the care home. They are offenders, sentenced to do Community Service instead of prison time. One of them, Pete, (Will Rastall) befriends Luke, and also becomes close to Eve.
On one of his countryside explorations, Luke finds a young girl caught in a snare trap. He takes her to safety in a old barn. She is filthy, uncommunicative, and scared. He brings her food and clothes, washes her, and visits regularly to look after her. She is the Feral girl who gives the film its title.
We discover that Pete is a hunt saboteur, part of a group who go out and disrupt fox-hunting in the area. As Luke loves animals, he asks Pete if he can go. Worried about Luke’s condition, and other medical problems, Pete refuses. But Luke follows him anyway, and becomes involved. Going to check on the feral girl later, Luke cannot rouse her, so carries her back to the care home to get help.
With no spoilers, that’s about it. A short running time of less than ninety minutes, no car chases, no police sirens, and no sex. A small film about people on the margins of society, doing their best to get by in a world where they are almost invisible to outsiders.
It is just fantastic, believe me. It will break your heart with its honesty.
Filmed on location in Essex, beautifully photographed and sparingly directed with skill, the film is anchored around a truly remarkable performance from Steven Brandon in the lead, (he really has Down’s Syndrome) with a completely believable portrayal of Eve from Shana Swash, and every other member of the cast on top form.
If you can find it, please watch it. I will never forget it.
I watched this on iplayer a few days ago. Mr. Brandon is an excellent actor. It was great to see a chap with Downs as the lead presented in such a well rounded way. we saw things through his eyes and could sympathise with him. The film needs a sequel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Residential Forum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reblogging!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Might try finding this one Pete. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is on the BBC i-player for the next 10 months, free to watch. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Thanks for the recommendation, Pete. It sounds like a great film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It affected me, Diana. The performance of Steven in the lead is remarkable.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the strength of your review, I’ve just put “My Feral Heart” on my movie watch list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz. I hope you are not disappointed.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, I loved your review. I am going to look for that movie. Right up my alley, anything about the human spirit. I will have Kleenex nearby too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debby. They don’t make enough of this type of film, in my opinion.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
After all the glitzy and mostly rubbishy films that are coming out of Hollywood these days, this films sounds authentic and well worth looking out for.. thanks Pete.x
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s on BBC i-player, Sally, if you can access that. Definitely the opposite of glitzy.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete…xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree to Sally’s comment, and will try to get to i-player working again. 😉 Thank you for the recommendation, Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you can access i-player, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It had worked before, through a proxy server in London. 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Pete. I hadn’t heard of it, and it sounds amazing. I’m going to try and locate it. Stay well and thanks for your recommendations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems my old friend Roland (below) does’t agree, but I loved it.
Thanks, Olga.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Mmmm . . so far nobody who has commented has watched the film but are very positive about it! I just watched it Pete and thanks for the recommendation.
I thought it was quite poor, a weak story and not well edited. Quite a lot of ‘suspend belief’ moments.
I fully acknowledge the performance of Steven Brandon which was OK but I think he was given a tough task with that script.
I will be interested in the comments after people have viewed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear your thoughts on it, Ro. Suspending belief is often necessary when watching films, (or I doubt I would ever watch any) but I think your comment that it is ‘poor’ is harsh.
Love to you both, Pete. x
LikeLike
I think I lost it with the whole feral aspect . . I am able to suspend belief up to a point but I have my limits.
And ten minutes of cutaways??
Lots of love Pete, keep ’em coming xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanx for the heads up….Sue will love this film. chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you might be surprised to find that you would like it too, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will try as soon as I can get caught up chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is available for rent on iTunes. I will certainly watch it, thanks Pete
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marina. I found it to be refreshingly different, and very moving.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Sounds like a film to watch we have Hayley with downs syndrome in our family and she is such a happy bright young lady who works in a restaurant staffed by other downs syndrome youngsters, bakes cakes and absolutely is loved by staff and customers…she even did a bike ride for charity last year…Hayley could teach us all a few lessons her joy in life is amazing ..I’ll try and find that film x
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think you would love it, Carol. A completely positive impression of a person with Down’s Syndrome, and great acting from Steven. Well done to your Hayley, I bet she is cherished where she works.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is , Pete and thank you 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the heads up. Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might not be easy to find over there, but worth looking for.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete, I’ll check it out! C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might be hard to find in the US, but I hope you can track it down, Cheryl.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll check it out on iPlayer…but it might be too sad
LikeLiked by 1 person
Without spoliers, I will just say that it isn’t very sad, Sue.
It is moving and affecting though.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OK, I’ve downloaded it
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent review, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jennie. I was so moved by that affecting film.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The trailer had me in tears. I am sure it is great. Thanks for the tip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole film choked me up, Cindy. Steven is such a good actor!
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLike
I hadn’t heard of this but it sounds fantastic Pete. I’m going to see if I can find it for streaming here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an independent film, and is available free on the BBC streaming service. Sadly, I don’t think you can access that over there, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pete, this is a very strong recommendation. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found this film very affecting, Robbie. No big events, or contrived drama, just everyday life for those people who we rarely hear about. It got to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll give that a try
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Alan. It is free to watch on the BBC i-player if you have access to that.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Sounds just my sort of film, though I had not heard of it before. I know it’s a contentious issue and easy to say when you have not had to make that decision, but I think it’s awful when so many people abort babies because they have Downes Syndrome. Denying someone their right to a life which has every chance of being happy and making those around them happy. Modern medicine and attitudes means they do not have to be shut away and can reach their potential, quite a few seem to become actors!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In my experience in the ambulance service, everyone I met with Down’s Syndrome was kind, affectionate, trusting, and loyal. That also comes across in this lovely little film.
It is still available on i-player, Janet, so you can watch it if you have access to that.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I worked for Special Olympics in Oregon in the 90s and the Down’s adults show us deep love, which is god-like. We all need to respect them better, Pete. I’d love to see this movie. xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure it would touch your heart, dear Lara.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
(1) I remember hearing about this film.
(2) I had a Down’s Syndrome girl in a class I taught. Her name was Desiree, and she was adorable. Unfortunately, she was terribly mistreated by her handlers. I won’t go into details here, but it was a very sad situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very sad to hear about Desiree, David. Everyone I met with Down’s Syndrome was always naturally klnd and trusting.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have to track it down on one of the dozens of apps we have here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is quite old now, but it should be around somewhere.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
i can’t wait to see this
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get to see it, Beth. It is something special.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a sad one Pete. I don’t think I can take it – I’m crying at Inside Out right now! In all seriousness, I’ll definitely check this one out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It isn’t that sad. I would say it is more life-affirming.
‘Inside Out’? is that Clooney? Hang on…No, Disney Pixar. Can’t stand Pixar.
Cheers, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What? You don’t like Pixar! Toy Story! Cars! Monster Inc! Up! WALL-E! The Incredibles! These are absolute classics. Take it back, Pete. Take it back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
No! I like REAL cartoons. Dumbo, Pinocchio, Snow White, Popeye, Betty Boop, etc. (And Japanese ones like Princess Mononoke, and Akira) Pixar doesn’t work for me at all. Maybe I was too old when it was invented.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do like cartoons – Bugs Bunny is legendary if you’ll let me include it – but you’d be shocked at how good some of those animations are. Full of emotional depth, iconic, life affirming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a grandson, so I have had to sit through most of them. Including Toy Story, which he watched about 40 times when he was staying here. Bugs is great, so too Foghorn Leghorn, Barney Bear, The Flintstones, Road Runner, and so on. Cartoons, not computer generated. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, some cartoons are classics, it has to be said. Brings back some good childhood memories 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Pete
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with Pete on this!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What? I thought everyone loved Pixar. My world has so suddenly come tumbling down…
LikeLiked by 2 people
😄😄😂🙄
LikeLiked by 2 people
On my list now Pete cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might still be on i-player, worth checking that.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I checked i-player, and it’s on there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person