To say 2020 has been a strange year and a bit different would be a massive understatement, We’ve all missed our football, going to the pub, meeting mates and family, all the things we have taken for granted, but now things are slowly starting to get back to some sort of normality, albeit many industries are having to be dynamic and adapt to the situation we find ourselves in.
The entertainment industry is one such sector that has come up with a great initiative, that has seen drive-in events popping up around the country, showcasing comedians, musicians, bands and films that you can watch from the comfort of your car or in the designated space around you, and next week will see the first-ever British film premiere in such a setting, the film in question is called,
“Break”
“Break” is an edgy urban drama set in and around a London council estate and the local snooker hall, the film follows the story of a gifted inner-city working-class kid called Spencer (played by Sam Gittins) who is wasting the clear talent he has of playing snooker for a life of criminality and the dark world surrounding drugs, that is until a chance meeting with a former 8 ball pool champion, who throws him a lifeline and a chance of a way out.
“Break” is the brainchild and work of Michael Elkin, who has worked as an actor for a few years but this film which he wrote the script for sees him make his debut as a director.
We caught up with Michael this week to ask him about his long journey in the extremely difficult and cut-throat film industry to reach his goal of seeing the fruits of his work hit the big screen and to realise his dream and passion to direct a film of one of his scripts come to fruition.
Hello Michael, thanks for taking the time to speak to us at Away day radio about the release of your new film “Break”, what inspired you to come up with the script for the film?
It’s a story I’ve had in my head for many years, but I didn’t put it down on paper till around 2010, growing up in South London I spent quite a bit of time in snooker halls around the manor, Brixton, Tulse Hill, West Norwood, etc and used to see a quite a few very talented players, one particular youngster was clearly good enough to turn pro, but he just didn’t have the motivation and was happy to make money by knocking out a bit of this and that shall we say.
Yeah, it’s a crying shame when you see people with talent but don’t fulfil it for one reason or another?
This is the thing, it frustrates me when you get kids with talent who just come up with excuses like, I live on a council estate, what chance have I got, etc, and just give up the chance to make something of themselves.
How did you get into the industry?
After leaving school I worked in my old man’s Jewellers on Walworth Road for a couple of years, then made some money from the sale of a flat my dad had bought for me and my sister as an investment, I was still young and gave most of that away to the pubs and the bookies, but I’ve always had a passion for film and writing stories and fancied a crack at acting, and after a chance meeting with Geoff Bell (actor in Green Street and the Business) in a pub we got talking and he invited me round to read over some scripts and read some monologues and then it went on from there, I got involved with an agency and played various roles but it’s an unbelievably hard game to make a living from.
How did “Break” finally get picked up and the chance of making it into a film?
Finance is key, I did lots of networking speaking to the right people and producers and finally interested some backers, but one thing I found was they then wanted to get someone else to direct it and the lead role I had earmarked for a young unknown actor at the time called Sam Gittins to be replaced, but I stuck to my guns because if I wasn’t given the chance to direct now then when would I ?, and the Same with Sam, we’re both working-class people who just needed a break, it was a big gamble on my part but I’m glad I stayed true to myself, I suggested we fill the roles around the youthful cast with some bigger names and they finally agreed.
Talking of big names, it was a big coup to get actors involved such as Rutger Hauer, David Yip, and Jamie Foreman?
Massive coup, all great to work with as well and bringing some valuable experience to the younger cast members, sadly it was Rutger’s last film before he passed away a year ago, almost to the day of the premiere next week, so there will be a tinge of sadness on the night, but was a pleasure to have known him.
Moving away from the film Michael and seeing what Away day radio is all about, what sort of music are you into?
Always loved my 80s soul, Evelyn king, Jocelyn Brown, etc, used to go down the Bonne Bonnie in Herne hill and listen to the DJ Rick on stage dressed in his gold suit, also loved all the Chicago house stuff, strings of life, etc, spent a few nights in the infamous Downham Tavern, great times.
What football team do you support?
I’m a Chelsea fan, I wasn’t someone who went to a lot of games, I went to see Fulham a lot more but that was because my mate played for them, but last time I went to Chelsea I went along with a few Man United mates who were cockney reds and getting near the ground all of a sudden the big group I was now with started to attack a Chelsea pub, I was like, oi what you doing! Police kettled everyone in and I said to a copper look mate I’m nothing to do with this lot as you can tell by my London accent so let me out before I get filled in, and they obliged ?
What players do you remember growing up, and what do you think of Chelsea’s current side led by Frank Lampard?
Most memorable players were Kerry Dixon, Dave Speedie and Pat Nevin from that era, things are looking ok at the minute under Lampard and a top-four finish is very realistic, so looking forward to next season with the new editions that are coming in.
Are you into all the clobber mate?
Yeah always loved the clobber, in fact still really into it, got lots of fila, Lacoste, Adidas trainers, even bought the classic Gabicci shirt the other week, the one with the suede pocket.
What other stuff have you got in the pipeline at the minute?
Quite a few bits and pieces on the go, I’ve written a script for another film that is hopefully coming to fruition and I’ve written a few episodes for a Tv series that you could say is like an English Sopranos, based on people who I used to know and situations I’ve seen, it’s more about low-level crime and the stuff they got up too to earn a pound note, but the hardest thing in the game like I said is getting finance and putting it to the right people to then get it made.
Let’s hope after the screening of “Break” next week this will give you more recognition and a big leg up, so, from all of us at Away day radio, we wish you all the best and thanks so much for taking time out to talk to us.
You’re more than welcome mate, anytime.
Here’s a link to buy tickets for the premiere next week in Brent Cross and full details of the event.
https://www.breakfilms.co.uk/events/premiere
UPDATE!
THE PREMIERE IS NOW A FREE EVENT!
Look out for an interview with Sam Gittins who plays the lead role of Spencer in the film in the coming days.
