Mike Leigh

If ever there was, truly, an actor’s director, it must be Mike Leigh. Even when he began his career staging plays back in the 60s, he had a freewheeling style that depended on actors to help build characters and story through improvisation. However, when it came to making movies, his fluid approach to scriptwriting was something that scared away financiers. This partly explains the 17-year gap between his feature debut Bleak Moments in 1971 and his second film, High Hopes (1988). But Leigh also earned a reputation for dealing in dark, gritty subject matter considered a tough sell for the Saturday night crowd, despite the rich vein of humour which often runs through his work. It was only in recent years that Leigh finally earned the trust of British moneymen. Secrets & Lies, starring Brenda Blethyn, earned five Oscar nominations in 1997, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. And, more importantly for Leigh, it guaranteed the green light for his next project. In the ten years since, he has produced five more films, working in exactly the same way, and attending the Oscars again in 2005 with abortionist drama Vera Drake. His latest project, Happy-Go-Lucky, is a much brighter, breezier affair featuring Sally Hawkins as an eternal optimist. Talking to BBC Film Network, Leigh explains why he too is determined to look at the bright side of British filmmaking. Happy-Go-Lucky is on general release from 18th April 2008. The short film 'Lovers' Lane' by Film Network Director, Guy Ducker will be screening as a pre-feature during its week long run at the Barbican from Friday April 25th to Thursday May 1st.