Ill Manors
{{short description|2012 film directed by Plan B}}
{{About||the film's soundtrack album|Ill Manors (album)|the song|Ill Manors (song)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{No plot|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Ill Manors
| image = Illmanorsmovieposter.jpg
| alt = Film poster for Ill Manors
| caption = Theatrical release poster.
| director = Ben Drew
| producer = Atif Ghani
| writer = Ben Drew
| starring = {{unbulleted list|
- Riz Ahmed
- Ed Skrein
- Keef Coggins
- Andrew Okello
- Lee Allen
- Nick Sagar
- Ryan De La Cruz
- Anouska Mond
- Saleh Ahmed
- Natalie Press
}}
| music = {{unbulleted list|
}}
| cinematography = Gary Shaw
| editing = {{unbulleted list|
- David Freeman
- Hugh Williams
- Sotira Kyriacou
- Farrah Drabu
}}
| studio = {{unbulleted list|
- Film London Microwave
- BBC Films
- Aimimage
- Plan B Enterprises
- Gunslinger
- UK Film Council
- British Film Institute
}}
| distributor = Revolver Entertainment
| released = {{Film date|2012|6|6|df=yes}}
| runtime = 121 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget = £100,000
| gross = £453,570 (UK)
}}
Ill Manors (stylised as ill Manors) is a 2012 British crime drama film written, co-scored and directed by Ben Drew AKA musician Plan B.{{cite web |url=http://www.revolvergroup.com/uk/cinema/view/ill_manors_film |title=ILL Manors |access-date=2012-05-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530001342/http://www.revolvergroup.com/uk/cinema/view/ill_manors_film |archive-date=30 May 2012 }} The film revolves around the lives of eight main characters, played by Riz Ahmed, Ed Skrein, Keef Coggins, Lee Allen, Nick Sagar, Ryan De La Cruz, Anouska Mond and Natalie Press, and features six original songs by Plan B, which act as a narration for the film. Ill Manors is a multi-character story, set over the course of seven days, a scenario where everyone is fighting for respect.{{cite web |title=It's a rap: Plan B movie takes him back to east London roots |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23883909-its-a-rap-plan-b-movie-takes-him-back-to-east-london-roots.do |first=Miranda |last=Bryant |date=1 October 2010 |work=Evening Standard|location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004170557/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23883909-its-a-rap-plan-b-movie-takes-him-back-to-east-london-roots.do |archive-date=4 October 2010 }} The film focuses on the violence that surrounds the main characters as they struggle to survive on the streets. Each story is also represented by a different rap song performed by Plan B.{{cite web |url= http://www.gigwise.com/news/55387/Plan-B-To-Direct-Hip-Hop-Musical-Movie---Exclusive |title= Plan B to Direct Hip-Hop Musical Movie |first= Jason |last= Gregory |date=22 March 2010 |work= Gigwise.com }}
Cast
{{castlist|
- Riz Ahmed as Aaron
- Ed Skrein as Ed
- Keef Coggins as Kirby
- Andrew Okello as Kurt
- Lee Allen as Chris
- Nick Sagar as Marcel
- Ryan De La Cruz as Jake
- Anouska Mond as Michelle
- Mem Ferda as Vladimir
- Natalie Press as Katya
- Martin Serene as Wild Bill
- Sean Sagar as Freddie
- Georgia Farthing as April
- Jayden Allen as Lil Chris
- Dannielle Brent as Jo
- Eloise Smyth as Jody
- Sasha Gamble as Chanel
- Neil Large as Terry
- Lee Whitlock as Vince
- Jo Hartley as Carol
- Finbar Fitzgerald as Callum
- John Cooper Clarke as himself
- Plan B as the narrator and taxi driver (cameo)
- Chris Wilson as Police Dog Handler
}}
Production
Prior to writing the script for Ill Manors, when Plan B was 21 years old, he had originally tried to begin production on another script he had written called Trigger, which was based on an incident where his home was raided by armed police.{{cite news |title=I've ditched my hard-man image but I'll never compromise, says Ben Drew aka Plan B |first=John |last=Dingwall |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2010/04/04/i-ve-ditched-my-hard-man-image-but-i-ll-never-compromise-says-ben-drew-aka-plan-b-86908-22161781/ |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Scotland |date=4 April 2010 }} However, he was refused funding as he was an inexperienced director.{{cite news |title=Plan B: Smooth operator |first=Charlotte |last=Cripps |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/plan-b-smooth-operator-2193235.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=United Kingdom |date=25 January 2011}} To gain the necessary experience, Plan B wrote and directed his own short film Michelle in 2008 which was financed by himself with £4000 from the remaining recording advance from his record label and an inheritance from his grandfather.{{cite web |title=Plan B talks about his new London film Ill Manors |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18058345 |first=Sue |last=Wilkinson |publisher=BBC News |date=6 June 2012}}
The short film, which starred Anouska Mond, Ed Skrein and Adam Deacon, was released online and acted as a pilot for the feature film Ill Manors,{{cite web |url= http://microwave.filmlondon.org.uk/get_inspired/ill_manors/cast_and_crew/ |title= Ill Manors |work= Film London Microwave |access-date= 23 November 2010 |archive-date= 28 August 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100828182804/http://microwave.filmlondon.org.uk/get_inspired/ill_manors/cast_and_crew/ |url-status= dead }} which Plan B had completed the script for within four months of making Michelle. He also directed the music video for "Pieces", his collaboration with Chase & Status, and also had roles in Adulthood (2008) and Harry Brown (2009). The script for Ill Manors was partly based on actual events and stories Plan B had heard when he was young, such as a woman prostituting herself in order to repay a drug dealer.{{cite web |url= http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1310:plan-b-ben-drew-interview&Itemid=30 |title= Q&A: Plan B |first= Thomas H |last= Green |date=13 April 2010 |work= The Arts Desk }} The film had been in development for three years prior to filming; however, Drew struggled to secure finance for his film.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Ill Manors was greenlit for production in 2009 as part of the Film London Microwave scheme.{{cite press release |title=BBC Films and Film London Extend Successful Microwave Partnership and Two New Features are Greenlit |publisher=Film London |date=14 May 2010 |url=http://filmlondon.org.uk/about_us/press_releases/2010/may/bbc_films_and_film_london_extend_successful_microwave_partnership_and_two_new_features_are_greenlit |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123060051/http://filmlondon.org.uk/about_us/press_releases/2010/may/bbc_films_and_film_london_extend_successful_microwave_partnership_and_two_new_features_are_greenlit |url-status=dead }}
For the film, Plan B hired a mixture of experienced and inexperienced actors, while several cast members already knew the director personally before they were cast in their roles. Riz Ahmed, who had previously recorded "Shifty" with Plan B, asked to play the lead role of Aaron after reading the script.{{cite web| url=https://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1513 |title=Ill Manors: Ben Drew, Riz Ahmed and Anouska Mond |work=Empire Online |access-date=12 June 2012}} Ed Skrein was a childhood friend of Plan B who had appeared in Michelle and had previously collaborated with him on numerous recordings.{{cite press release |title=Ill Manors Production Notes |url=http://www.revolvergroup.com/press/iLL_Manors_ProductionNotes_FIN.pdf |publisher=Revolver Entertainment |year=2012 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522225816/http://www.revolvergroup.com/press/iLL_Manors_ProductionNotes_FIN.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Keef Coggins is Plan B's godfather and Anouska Mond, who had also previously appeared in Plan B's short film was invited to audition for her previous role as Michelle. Notably, Little Simz made a brief cameo in the movie at the 1 hour 24 minute mark years before her rise to fame. The main casting process for the film took place during August 2010{{cite web |url= http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/viewpreview.aspx?id=1767 |title= Interview: Plan B |first= Fiona |last= Shepherd |date= 18 August 2010 |work= Edignburgh Festivals |publisher= scotsman.com |location= UK |access-date= 18 October 2011 |archive-date= 15 April 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120415073825/http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/viewpreview.aspx?id=1767 |url-status= dead }} with several cast members being young unknown actors from the East End of London, such as Ryan De La Cruz who was discovered when the crew visited Rokeby School in Canning Town, London.
Principal photography began on 1 September 2010 at 3 Mills Studios, London{{cite web |url=http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2010/september/its_time_for_plan_b |title=It's Time for Plan B |date=8 September 2010 |work=Film London |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=22 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122215903/http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2010/september/its_time_for_plan_b |url-status=dead }} and filming lasted for four weeks on location in London, England.{{cite journal |last1=Sigel |first1=Tego |date=9 September 2010 |title=Plan-B's Set For Directorial Debut Ill Manors |journal=RWD Magazine |url=http://www.rwdmag.com/2010/09/plan-bs-set-for-directorial-debut-ill-manors/ |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114033227/http://www.rwdmag.com/2010/09/plan-bs-set-for-directorial-debut-ill-manors/ |archive-date=14 November 2011 |url-status=dead }} Plan B has named the 1996 film Pusher directed by Nicolas Winding Refn as a major influence on Ill Manors, as well as directors Shane Meadows and Quentin Tarantino.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a364466/plan-b-shane-meadows-quentin-tarantino-inspired-film-ill-manors.html |title=Plan B: 'Shane Meadows, Quentin Tarantino inspired film Ill Manors' |first=Tom |last=Eames |publisher=Digital Spy |date=7 February 2012}} During production of the film, it was reported that the cast and crew ran into trouble with youths in Forest Gate, London and production was interrupted while a laptop containing the film's dailies had to be recovered after being stolen by a drug addict.{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/plan-bs-new-film-ill-manors-almost-stolen-by-thieves_1336384 |title=Plan B's New Film 'Ill Manors' Almost Stolen By Thieves |work=contactmusic.com |date=31 May 2012}} Drew claimed that he faced prejudice from some crew members while on set; however, he also noted that "there was some people that really believed in my vision and gave me all the support I needed."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/plan-b--3/63908 |title=Plan B admits there 'wasn't a good vibe' during early shooting of new film 'Ill Manors' |work=NME |date=5 January 2014}}
Editing of the film began in December 2010, but post-production of the film was delayed due to Plan B performing on The Defamation of Strickland Banks Tour during 2010 and 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/at-the-movies/a297043/ben-drew-chats-baftas-ill-manors.html |title=Ben Drew chats BAFTAs, 'Ill Manors' |first=Simon |last=Reynolds |date=10 January 2011 |work=Digital Spy |location=UK }} To raise funds for the completion of the film's post-production,{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a346418/plan-bs-new-album-ballad-of-bellmarsh-delayed-for-film-ill-manors.html |title=Plan B's new album 'Ballad of Bellmarsh' delayed for film 'Ill Manors' |first=Robert |last=Copsey |date=19 October 2011 |work=Digital Spy |location=UK }} the distribution rights to Ill Manors were sold to Revolver Entertainment in April 2011{{cite web |url=http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2011/april/ill_manors_secures_distribution |title=Ill Manors secures distribution |date=27 April 2011 |work=Film London |location=UK |access-date=21 January 2012 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612104206/http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2011/april/iLL_manors_secures_distribution |url-status=dead }} and Plan B delayed the release date of his planned third studio album The Ballad of Belmarsh until after Ill Manors was released.
Release
The trailer for Ill Manors was first aired on The Guardian's website on 3 May 2012,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2012/may/03/ill-manors-trailer-plan-b-exclusive?CMP=twt_gu |title=Ill Manors: watch the trailer for Plan B's first film – world exclusive | work=The Guardian |date=3 May 2012}} while the first film poster was first unveiled by Empire magazine's website on 8 May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=33867 |title=New Poster For Ill Manors |work=Empire |date=8 May 2012}} Digital Spy also unveiled two further promotional posters on 18 May and 7 June 2012.{{Cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a382378/plan-bs-ill-manors-debuts-sick-new-poster-picture.html | title='iLL Manors' debuts 'sick' new poster| publisher=Digital Spy| date=18 May 2012}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a385807/plan-bs-ill-manors-movie-debuts-new-red-poster.html | title=Plan B's 'iLL Manors' – new red poster| publisher=Digital Spy| date=7 June 2012}} The premiere took place on 30 May 2012 at the Empire cinema in Leicester Square, London. This screening was also attended by several British recording artists such as Alesha Dixon, Alexandra Burke, Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32, Example and Ed Sheeran.{{Cite news | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18276304 |title = Error – BBC Newsbeat}}
The film was given a wide release to 191 cinemas in both Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom by Revolver Entertainment on 6 June 2012.{{cite web| url = http://industry.bfi.org.uk/article/18033/UK-Box-Office-8---10-June-2012| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120625022525/http://industry.bfi.org.uk/article/18033/UK-Box-Office-8---10-June-2012| archive-date = 2012-06-25| title = UK Film Council – UK Box Office: 8 – 10 June 2012}} Ill Manors was released in the Netherlands on 30 August 2012 by Benelux Film Distributors and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Festival do Rio in September 2012. Ill Manors was released on DVD on 8 October 2012, and contains footage that was not broadcast at cinemas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ill-Manors-DVD-Riz-Ahmed/dp/B0087P3P8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1348410345&sr=1-1|title = Ill Manors|publisher = Amazon|date = 8 October 2012}}
Reception
On its opening weekend, the film placed at number nine at the UK Box Office, with a gross figure of £256,288. Domestically, the film has earned a total gross of £453,570, after eight weeks at the box office.{{cite web| url = http://industry.bfi.org.uk/article/18098/UK-Box-Office-27---29-July-2012| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120802112421/http://industry.bfi.org.uk/article/18098/UK-Box-Office-27---29-July-2012| archive-date = 2012-08-02| title = UK Film Council – UK Box Office: 27 – 29 July 2012}} Ill Manors has received largely positive reviews from critics and fans alike, with a current 77% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on thirty-one different reviews.{{Cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ill_manors/ |title = Ill Manors (2012)|website = Rotten Tomatoes}}
Soundtrack
{{Main|Ill Manors (album)}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.illmanors.com}} {{dead link|date=January 2020}}
- [http://microwave.filmlondon.org.uk/get_inspired/ill_manors/ Film London Microwave site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205111950/http://microwave.filmlondon.org.uk/get_inspired/ill_manors/ |date=5 December 2014 }}
- {{Mojo title |id=1760967 |title=Ill Manors }}
- {{IMDb title|1760967|Ill Manors}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|ill_manors|Ill Manors}}
{{Plan B}}
Category:2012 crime drama films
Category:British crime drama films
Category:British gangster films
Category:Films about murderers
Category:Films about prostitution in the United Kingdom
Category:Films directed by Plan B (musician)
Category:2012 directorial debut films