Chicken
classified 15Please note: This was screened in June 2016
An impressive feature debut for young British director Joe Stephenson about optimistic 15-year-old Richard – troubled with learning difficulties - and his restless and abusive older brother.
Adapted from a play, Chicken features a performance of overwhelming maturity from its lead, Scott Chambers as Richard. Richard’s only true friend is a chicken called Fiona who goes along on his many adventures around the squalid countryside plot the brothers are illegally squatting. When Richard falls for 17-year-old Annabel (Yasmin Paige, of Submarine) the relationship between the brothers is stretched to breaking point, family secrets are revealed and life for Richard starts to finally change direction.
Contrary to its title, there is nothing at all cowardly about Chicken. Stephenson builds his remarkable film around an astonishing central performance and - without melodrama or pity - confidently articulates a compelling, heartfelt narrative with tact, compassion and honesty.
Director Joe Stephenson joins us for a special Q&A after the screening.