Rudy

Great film that was 10 years in the making. Watched Rudy last night in our village club. This really deserves bigger venues and audiences. A fine cast of new young faces and some older ones some who you will recognise. A lot of teenagers will identify with the younger characters and the same with older audiences and older characters. The meeting of two teenagers from different environments a farmers daughter struggling with the death of her mother and a young city lad raised by his grandmother. They have a shared interest in skateboards but some discover a wider depth in life effecting them both. Fine a screening and enjoy.

This film astonished me, watched in a small village hall with nine others I was absolutely not expecting the quality film that Rudy is. It was beautiful, moving, surrounded by stunning local scenery and set to the most fabulous music.

To have the personal touch of the makers being present to give introductions and questions and answers afterwards was a real bonus.

I could not rate this film highly enough, just a shame that the audience is so limited, would love to see it on a big screen some day soon.

Well done to all involved you captured a moving story beautifully, not sure you could better that !

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 an inspiring and remarkable achievement. It is a beautiful and suspenseful family drama that shows that it is possible, even in the present dismal circumstances of British independent film, to produce serious, powerful and sincere regional cinema. The cast are marvellous. Esther McCormick's inwardness and pre-raphaelite beauty are set off against the amazing 8-year old Alice Knights as her quirkily hilarious sister. However, all the players are excellent, especially Darren Day as the decent, grief-tormented father. The countryside of Warwickshire and cityscape of Coventry, both almost unknown to cinema, play an important role in the background. I hope that this outstanding effort can serve as an inspiration to other regional film-makers.

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.