Rudy

We were treated to a very special and unique experience when the film 'Rudy' was shown at Hollowell Village Hall in October. The VH committee was approached by Rugby based film director Shona Auerbach who, along with her husband, cinematographer, Graeme Dunn, had created the film.

They described the project as a "labour of love" which had taken them 10 years to fulfil.

Shona had collaborated with a colleague to write the film, moved to do so by the experience of losing a loved one, particularly the effect on a young teenager of losing a mother.

Rudy is the fictional teenager in the film, devastated by the death of her mother and left, alone with her grieving father, to care for two much younger siblings.

This may all sound totally miserable, but the film had moments of humour and wonderful portrayals of everyday life.

It showed both Rudy and her father coming to terms with their appalling loss.

It was a treat for the eyes and ears with beautiful photography, ranging from details of domestic activity, to urban skateboarders, to our beautiful countryside. The urban setting used was Coventry and the rural landscape was around Birdingbury and Leamington Hastings.

The music for "Rudy" was written by Japanese composer, Akira Kosemura and was atmospheric and evocative.

The film is being shown in some small cinemas around the country and is currently available on Curzon Home Cinema for £10. The creators of the film are also taking it to local villages in the area. We in Hollowell count ourselves very fortunate to have benefited from this.

It was a real privilege and rare insight to get the opportunity to talk to the makers of this rather special film.

Viv Benjamin.

Rudy is a dramatic film, well acted and telling a story of loss and love on their farm. There is suspense and humour in their lives as the family coped without the father's wife and mother of their three children.

Tension throughout with local picturesque cinematography in and around, Rugby, Coventry and Warwickshire, by Graeme Dunn. The dramatic music added atmosphere and few words to portray the sad story, ten years in the making.

I was engrossed, watching the film in the intimate atmosphere created in the Alex, Rugby with seven others in the cosy, dark room of the old brewery. Good luck to local Director Shona Auerbach for a BAFTA nomination.

Rudy is perfectly balanced - tender and heartwarming, but with just enough edge to keep you believing and wondering what's going to happen next. At its core is a love story, underpinned by compelling and authentic central performances, but there's much more to the film than that. I was struck by its meditation on community and the ways in which people desire it and improvise it against the odds. Beautifully shot, it makes the most of Coventry's extraordinary, layered urban environment. There are hypnotic passages where the music and images take over, and moments of almost unbearable suspense. The ending is perfectly judged, closing on an unexpected note of joyful ambiguity. Like all good films, it follows you out into the world and stays with you.

I was lucky to see this exquisite movie at a local film club in Great Ayton, followed by a Q&A with the Director. What a lovely story, beautiful told and anchored by superb performances from the children. Darren Day may not be everyone's first choice for a grieving Warwickshire farmer but he pulls it off! A special word for the music - the choice of songs and the score perfectly complement the story. Coventry has never looked so beautiful, either.

I truly hope this labour of love ( it took 10 years to be made and released) finds a bigger audience. I saw this on the same day as the much bigger Saltburn. This is a far superior movie and deserves an opportunity to find an audience.

I loved every second. It's the kind of movie I thirst for, a world away from formulaic characters and plots. "Rudy" is uncontrived, almost innocent in its desire to show a human story rather than tell us how clever the filmmaker is. Its beautifully observed and engaging filled with delicate touches of every day life that reminded me how much we all share, away from the glitz and glare of "media" and overstated pieces.,Very human, very touching. I remember "Dear Frankie", Shona Auerbach's previous gem which mesmerised me in the same fashion. If you also long to watch a movie that invites you and allows you to determine your own emotional responses, walk alongside a family for a while as they navigate change, loss and tough adjustments with very little understanding of what they need except to feel safe, accepted and loved - all without it becoming necessary to get psychotherapy or have profound conversations, please watch "Rudy".