Better Things (2008)

Synopsis

Gail’s agoraphobia keeps her inside where she escapes into romance novels. She shares a house with her Nan, recently back from the hospital. Gradually, they both try to reach out to each other to break their isolation. Rob plunges further into his addiction as a way of numbing his heartbreak over the death of his girlfriend. In his stupor, he dreams of embracing her again. Mr & Mrs Gladwin are going through a shift in their 60 year relationship. Years of resentment and unspoken truths have built a barrier between them that Mrs Gladwin, in her abiding love, tries to erode in little gestures.

A new voice in British cinema, Duane Hopkins’ multi-narrative feature debut is a lyrical and honest look at intersecting lives, losses and loves in the heart of rural England.

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Awards

MEDIA New Talent Prize for Scriptwriting - Cannes Film Festival 2004
FIPRESCI Award for Best Film - Stockholm Film Festival
Best Cinematography - Kiev International Film Festival

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Nominations

Camera d'Or - Cannes Film Festival 2008
Michael Powell Award - EIFF
Diesel Discovery Award - TIFF
Finnkino Prize - Helsinki
The Guardian First Film Award 2009

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Festivals

• Cannes Film Festival, Critics Week 2008
• Edinburgh International Film Festival 2008
• Brussels Cinedecouvertes 2008
• Toronto International FIlm Festival 2008
• Athens International Film Festival 2008
• London Film Festival 2008
• AFI Fest, Los Angeles 2008
• Bath Film Festival 2008
• Helsinki International Film Festival - Love & Anarchy 2008
• Northern Lights Film Festival, Newcastle 2008
• Morelia International Film Festival 2008
• Bergen International Film Festival 2008
• Mostra Internacional de Cinema de Sao Paulo 2008
• Ljubljana Film Festival 2008
• Stockholm Film Festival 2008
• Hof International Film Festival 2008
• International FIlm Festival Rotterdam 2009
• International Istanbul Film Festival 2009
• CPH PIX, Copenhagen 2009
• Kiev International Film Festival 2009