"Don't worry about me" preview

Liverpool is now firmly established as a film location. I believe that more films, Television series and advertisements are filmed here than any other place in Britain, apart from London. This year alone Liverpool has been used for the new Guy Ritchie film “Sherlock Holmes” the much anticipated “Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows” and the soon to be seen John Lennon biography “Nowhere Boy” in which Liverpool born actor David Morrissey features.

David also directed a Liverpool based film “Don’t worry about me” that had its first Liverpool showing at FACT this week, followed by a short question and answer session with stars Helen Elizabeth, James Brough, main producer John Maxwell and David Morrissey.

“Don’t worry about me” started life as a two-hander play called “The Pool” written by Helen Elizabeth and James Brough, first presented at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006 to showcase their acting talents. It then transferred to the Arts Theatre in London, were David Morrissey first saw it. It also had a short run at Liverpools Unity Theatre. Which proved popular with the girls of Belvedere school, Helen was introduced to drama by teachers, Miss McGregor and Mrs Green when she attended Belvedere.

It was about this time that David Morrissey suggested to Helen and James turning “The Pool” into a feature film. David had set up Tubedale Films, an independent film production company with his brother Paul, a Telecommunications professional, in the late 90s to produce and develop films for cinema release. Tubedale are also involved in television and short film projects based in Liverpool and the northwest.

The name was changed from “The Pool” to avoid confusion with another film. “Don’t worry about me” tells the tale of Londoner David (James Brough) who finds himself stranded, virtually penniless, in Liverpool after his efforts to be a Good Samaritan goes wrong. A chance meeting with Tina (Helen Elizabeth) and in a very descriptive scene of bodily functions David persuades Tina to take the rest of the day off from the bookmakers were she works and show him the sights of Liverpool.

What follows is a funny, emotional and extremely well done romantic drama. The language, particularly at the start may offend some, but stay with it as it is well worth the emotional journey that David and Tina set out on, both leads give extremely fine performances as do the supporting cast. the third star is Liverpool, which David Morrissey has made look so good, he did say after the showing that since his Everyman days he would hang around on set to see how films and television programmes were made. “I never did any courses, I just did it” and he has done it very well.

One of the great things about this film is that, David Morrissey, being a local was able to film in locations that others may by pass. He got to film in the Anglican Cathedral, not just those familiar views from the roof, but some beautifully framed shots inside the Cathedral. Out on Crosby Beach with Anthony Gormleys “Another Place” again to great effect. Tina takes Londoner David on a Ferry ride after he tells her “Gondolas in Venice, Ferries in Liverpool, you must do it”

Stopping off at New Brighton and Perch Rock for a quick run round the fun fair, it was pointed out no bears were hurt in the making of this film, after the trip to the fun fair. it really does make Liverpool and the surrounding areas look so good. I hope that all involved get an award from The Mersey Partnership for doing such a good job promoting the area, even if visitors may find it a little difficult to see all these sights in a day.

“Don’t worry about me” was shown at FACT as part of the Clapperboard presents programme, which is bringing professional talents from in front and behind the camera to Liverpool for fund raising on behalf of The Clapperboard Youth Project. The film showings are followed by a short question and answer session.

Asked how important filming in Liverpool was, director David Morrissey said “It was a great experience, the city is full of marvellous locations and there is a great attitude in the city” David went on to say that the film had been made for the relatively small amount of £100.000 and he had worked with James Brough and Helen Elizabeth on the script until they had were happy, but still found that occasionally filming in a location was not working, so it was in the van and off to another location, again an advantage of knowing the area.

In a project of this nature, every-one involved gets thanked for their help and I was amused to see that Satterwaites, well known local bakers, were thanked, it was the pies that kept the crew going. The Old Bank in South Road was also thanked, rehearsals were held there and no doubt a few glasses.

David expressed his support of The Clapperboard Youth Project and stated that it is important that young people are listened to, as they are the future of the industry.

The BBC will be showing “Don’t worry about me” in February, watch out for it, and then it will be available on DVD. I only hope that FACT will be showing this film again because it really is worth seeing and it looks so good on the big screen.

The next Clapperboard presents event at FACT will be “24Hour Party People” starring Steve Coogan, about Tony Wilson and Factory Records. The script was written by Liverpools Frank Cottrell Boyce award winning author of “Millions” and “Framed”

“24hour Party People will be shown at 7 p.m. on Tuesday 1st December followed by a Question and Answer session with Frank.

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