Catch Me Daddy, 2015.
Directed by Daniel Wolfe and Matthew Wolfe.
Starring Sameena Jabeen Ahmed, Conor McCarron, Gary Lewis and Wasim Zahir.
SYNOPSIS:
Laila is hiding from her family in West Yorkshire with her boyfriend, Aaron. During the course of a night her life changes forever when her brother, accompanied by hired thugs discover her whereabouts and force both the runaways to once again flee.
Catch Me Daddy will forever be remembered as my very first screening. I note this for no other reason than to show my appreciation to the fine folks who sent an invite Flickering Myth’s way and to Flickering Myth for passing that onto me. Was it one that I’ll remember for its cinematic endeavour, I hear no-one ask. Well, let me answer.
Before entering the screening the host was telling the waiting audience about its heavy subject matter and he certainly wasn’t lying. From the start, the striking visuals of fog over the hills seems to be nature’s way of hiding the goings on below. The secluded moors suggest a quiet life for Laila (Sameena Jabeen Ahmed) and Aaron (Conor McCarron) until the benefits of living in such surroundings quickly become the biggest obstacle of shaking off their past lives.
Robbie Ryan’s cinematography is a big winner here as it creates a stark and threatening world, giving you a look into the bleak physicality of the caravan park and what drives those who live there. Past the look, the leads all perform well when it takes a turn for the brutal and a few scenes walk on a knife edge to great effect. I did have the feeling that some of the supporting players (most are first time actors) prevented the tension from building as my mind transferred from the story to thinking about stumbled over lines and unnatural performances.
For me, this movie has the same peaks and valleys as its scenery and that’s not a slight on the movie, more a comment on the heights hit in this brave and bold feature debut. Not having the same hold on me as the great ’71 from last year, Catch Me Daddy still has scenes that will stick in your mind for a while after the credits have rolled. The end ten minutes will certainly be a talking point whether you felt it was too much or that it pushed just enough, you’ll have an opinion.
It tackles the innocence of love and childhood as well as the harsh reality of religion. Flawed but raw, you’ll find much to commend Daniel and Matthew Wolfe’s work. Not for the faint of heart but rewards lay for those who take the plunge.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Gary McCurry – Follow me on Twitter
Originally published February 26, 2015. Updated November 14, 2019.
