Ratcatcher

United Kingdom, France

1999

94 Min

Color

1.85:1

English

Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
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EXEC Andrea Calderwood, Barbara McKissack, Sarah Radclyffe

CAST Tommy Flanagan, Mandy Matthews, William Eadie, Michelle Stewart, Lynne Ramsay, Leanne Mullen, John Miller, Jackie Quinn, James Ramsay

SOUND Richard Flynn

Cannes (Un Certain Regard), London, Toronto, Rotterdam, Edinburgh: New Directors Award

Synopsis

In her breathtaking and assured debut feature, Lynne Ramsay creates a haunting evocation of a troubled Glasgow childhood. Set during Scotland’s national garbage strike of the mid-1970s, Ratcatcher explores the experiences of a poor adolescent boy as he struggles to reconcile his dreams and his guilt with the abjection that surrounds him. Utilizing beautiful, elusive imagery, candid performances, and unexpected humor, Ratcatcher deftly contrasts urban decay with a rich interior landscape of hope and perseverance, resulting in a work at once raw and deeply poetic. —The Criterion Collection

Director

Lynne Ramsay

Lynne Ramsay (born 5 December 1969) is an award-winning Scottish film director, best known for the feature films Ratcatcher and Morvern Callar.

Ramsay won the 1996 Cannes Prix de Jury for her graduation film, the short “Small Deaths”. Her second short film, “Kill the Day”, won the Clemont Ferrand Prix du Jury; her third, “Gasman”, won her another Cannes Prix du Jury in addition to a Scottish BAFTA for Best Short Film.

Ratcatcher (1999), Ramsay’s debut feature, won critical acclaim and numerous awards. It was screened at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and opened the Edinburgh International Film Festival, winning her the Guardian New Directors prize. She also won the Carl Foreman Award for Newcomer in British Film at the 2000 BAFTA Awards, the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival and the Silver Hugo for Best Director at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Morvern Callar (2002) won Samantha Morton the British Independent… read more

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Paolo Simeone

2May13

Uh, bello. Assai.

cpc

12Apr13

Snowball of the Moon Mice, you will always have a place in my heart

Algitya likes this

Mohammad

22Jan13

I can't even make up my mind if this film was happy or sad. What I'm sure of though is that it's deep, heart-warming and unforgettable. It was also a good chance to know more about the Scottish accent and some of the habits.