02 November 2011
Newsdesk
Clapperboard UK Ltd returns with another of their ‘Clapperboard Presents…’ series of popular fundraising movie evenings on Monday 14 November 2011, celebrating award-winning local talent and this time with one of the cities iconic Beatles movies BACKBEAT.
BACKBEAT made in 1994, is a bio epic film which chronicles the early days of The Beatles journey from Liverpool to Hamburg in Germany. The film is based on interviews conducted by the writer/director Iain Softley with Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann in the spring of 1988, Scot Williams plays Pete Best.
The film focuses primarily on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe (played by Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (played by Ian Hart), and also with Sutcliffe's German girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (played by Sheryl Lee), Chris O’Neil plays George Harrison and Paul Duckworth plays Ringo Starr.
The Beatles' early days as a struggling bar band are depicted in this fact-based drama, which tells the little-known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe. A close friend of John Lennon, Sutcliffe acts as the band's original bassist, accompanying them on their early gigs in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany. The friendship becomes strained, however, when Sutcliffe falls in love with a German art student and starts to question his commitment to the band. Whilst best friend John Lennon can only watch, Sutcliffe has to choose between rock 'n roll and a new life in Germany, but Stuart still thinks he is a better painter than bass guitarist and he has fallen seriously in love with a German girl. With Sutcliffe's story taking centre stage, the stories of the more famous Beatles largely fade into the background. The film has subsequently been made into a stage production, debuting at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre in 2010. BACKBEAT is currently in London West End at the Duke of York's Theatre.
Actor, Scot Williams said “I am delighted to be attending the forthcoming Clapperboard screening and Q&A of Iain Softley’s 1994 Beatles Bio movie BACKBEAT, in which I played Pete Best. I applaud Clapperboard in its continued efforts to deliver all aspects of creativity and education, (from script to screen), over to young people and their communities. An initiative which has resulted in many successful youth led and industry supported film-making projects over the past eight years. As recent events have demonstrated so much, never have the youth of inner city Britain needed such an outlay of creativity and expression. Martin Luther King Jnr said that “The Riot is the language of the unheard”. Clapperboard is therefore a much needed ‘Voice’ for young people and their communities, as well as window for us into their World. As an innovative, charitable, non-profit making organisation, we must do all we can to support such a scheme. Who knows, our next director might be there as we speak”.
Scot Williams (The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Hillsborough, The Crew, Hard Boilded Sweets) will participate in a Question and Answers session with the audience after the film, Chaired by Peter Grant, writer, poet and Liverpool Echo journalist.
A complimentary after show drink will be sponsored by Matthew Clarke at 3345 Parr Street with an exclusive performance by Liverpool’s new young up and coming band that’s got the music industry buzzing... TIRO LARK!
BACKBEAT
Monday 14 November 2011
picturehouse@fact, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ
Performance time: 6.45pm
Tickets: £11, concessions £8
Box Office: 0871 902 5737
Income raised from Clapperboard Presents…will go toward the Clapperboard Youth Project. Ticket prices are £11 each with concessions £8.00 direct from FACT box office on 0871 902 5737
