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Urchin
The debut feature from actor Harris Dickinson sees a homeless addict get a shot at recovery and redemption.
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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