The stirring, yet familiar story of a teacher using untraditional methods to reach a troubled student is the backbone of the 2016 British coming-of-age drama, Urban Hymn.
Written by Nick Moorcroft and directed by Michael Caton-Jones, the semi-autobiographical film, based on Moorcroft’s formative years growing up in Essex, is set against the backdrop of the 2011 England Riots, and follows a neglected and volatile female offender, Jamie, who possesses an amazing singing voice and is torn between her loyalties toward her inspiring, unconventional care worker, Kate, and her possessive and volatile best friend, Leanne.
British newcomer, Letitia Wright stars, and is joined by Shirley Henderson, Isabella Laughland, Ian Hart and Steven Mackintosh. Initially, the film was selected for the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival where it received its world premiere in the “City To City” section. It continued to tour the international film festival circuit, most recently screening at the 46th edition of the Giffoni film festival, where it won the festival jury award for Best Film.
After receiving strong word-of-mouth, as well as critically-acclaimed reviews, the film was picked up for theatrical distribution in the U.K and Ireland. The film opens in Ireland on October 7. Currently, there is no US distributor for Urban Hymn. Once it has been acquired, odds are it will receive a limited release.
Check out the trailer and film poster, below:
