By Esther Callens
Many gems are found while walking along the unbeaten path. Surprisingly, today’s jewel happens to be in the form of a video. Written and directed by Stuart Murdoch is the award winning independent film, God Help The Girl (release – September 2014), a delightful, coming of age musical. Emotionally charged, yet highly animated, Murdoch presents a well written storyline that appeals to all ages.
Murdoch tells the story of Eve (Emily Browning) in God Help The Girl. To be so young and vibrant –emotionally, Eve is in a bad way and depression is her best friend. While going through in-house treatment she finds that writing songs provides a suitable therapy for her. Eventually she meets James (Olly Alexander) and Cassie (Hannah Murray) who both come with their own baggage. James is an odd fellow who at best is described as a peculiar bird. Although she doesn’t portray herself to be the duchess, Cassie is somewhat snobbish. While these three outcasts are finding themselves, they find music and forge an unlikely friendship. They start a band.
Things progress well for the new group but are they enough? Is music enough to keep Eve centered? Or will she return and dive deeper into her own personal abyss? With God Help The Girl, Stuart Murdoch has portrayed the young psyche at its best – at a pivotal stage and time. His Infusion of music amidst the Glasgow backdrop perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster that’s to be expected from a person with Eve’s mental status.
It is not a mystery as to why God Help The Girl is the recipient of 2014 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award (for the Delightful Ensemble Performance, and How the Director Brought His Own Unique Universe into Cinema). With the extraordinary cast and the impressive film score it was certain to make the industry sit up and take notice. Barry Mendel is the producer with executive producers Chris Curling, Chris Faulls, Steve Milne and Phil Robertson.
