A movie set in Salford and directed by a local lad is defying critics after hitting Netflix's top 10 most viewed list in the UK.
Sceptics dubbed the film, Strangeways Here We Come, a ‘Salford-set Shameless rip-off ’ and slammed it for its use of ‘vile stereotypes.’ However, Salfordians have since praised the movie, which counts Michelle Keegan among its stars, and expressed love for the characters, with some even hoping for a sequel.
The story focuses on a group of council-estate residents and their plot to strike back against a nasty loan shark, played by Salford-born Stephen Lord. Previously speaking to the Manchester Evening News , director Chris Green emphasised how he wanted the film to involve local talent both on-screen and behind-the-scenes.
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Jenny Miller, 53, grew up in Lower Broughton like Chris, 55. The retail manager in a charity shop on Salford precinct talked openly about her own experiences witnessing loan sharks in the area.
“I have known people who have got into situations [that were in the film]. I’ve seen people kneecapped for not paying their debts, people refusing to pay back more than what they owed,” she said. “I’ve had friends of family who have got into debts with [loan sharks] who have had to start drug dealing on their behalf.”
Strangeways Here We Come received zero-stars from the Times – and a one-star review by The Guardian shortly after its release. In response to this, Jenny said: “People who’ve not actually lived [in Salford] shouldn’t have a say. At the end of the day, you’ve got to work here, live here and know the people to understand what it’s really like – you’ve got a lot of people who have had hardships.”
The film features former Coronation Street starlet Keegan in her first feature-length performance, alongside Chanel Cresswell and Perry Fitzpatrick of This Is England, plus Misfits actor Lauren Socha. Jenny added: “It’s good that these actors were brought together to represent the area.”
When asked how it felt to see Salford on-screen, Jenny added: “It was great to see it all. The maisonettes [where they filmed] was where my gran used to live. So I could really relate to that.” Jenny mentioned that she has also watched Shameless, which debuted on Channel 4 back in 2004. She admitted she did find it ‘a bit more relatable’ and ‘less far-fetched’ when compared to the 2018 indie movie.
Another resident Allison, 52 who cares full-time for her mum and prides herself as being ‘Salford born and bred’, was living on Amersham Street at the time Shameless was filmed, and would often see scenes being captured nearby. She said she ‘couldn’t stop laughing’ during the film, and also found it ‘relatable'.
“I watched it the other day ‘cause my daughter told me to. I really enjoyed it and I’m going to watch it again with a mate," Allison recalls. “I’ve spoken to quite a lot of people who are buzzing for it.”
She went on to say as many as 30 people she knows have watched and enjoyed the flick, which was produced with a budget of just a couple hundred thousand pounds. Chuckling, Allison said she’d like to appear in a sequel.
Another local woman, who has also lived in Salford her entire life but asked to remain anonymous, dubbed it ‘dead down-to-earth’ and said: “I thought it was real, it does show how the working class live and what actually happens.”
The woman went on to admit her daughter recently embarked on a performing arts degree at a university in London. “Even though you’ve got Media City at the Quays now, there’s nothing on offer for kids once they finish school," she said.
“[My daughter] had to go all over the place because there weren’t any opportunities in this area."
However, she went on to agree that Strangeways Here We Come is ‘a step in the right direction' after hitting number number 9 in the UK's Most Watched list on Netflix.
Viewers have continued to support the film on Facebook, with one user Claire Walker commenting: “These things are always a bit tongue-in-cheek. The comedy and irony comes from the fact that these so-called and labelled ‘Shameless’ characters do exist in society.
“There’s been loads of TV and film based on ‘chav culture’ and I very much enjoy them. Everyone can watch these Manchester based shows and immediately think of a real person they know.”
Praising director Chris, another user Steven Challoner described the film as promoting ‘typical northern humour by a talented local lad’ and claimed it is ‘well worth a watch, if you have a sense of humour and not up your own a***’. Meanwhile, Katie Leicester commented: “Chris Green’s films are brilliant, watched each and every one of his films and he’s never let me down! I’ve laughed, cried and been frightened to death. Keep going fella as we love you.”
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- need to support the genuine hard-working people": Police seize £1 million of counterfeit goods in Bury New Road raids
- I went to see how easy it is to buy drugs on one of Manchester's busiest roads... I was offered some in less than two minutes
- Non-essential shops were supposed to be shut - so why did it seem to be business as usual for some in Strangeways?
