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English Titles S

Side by Side

Original title: Side by Side
German title: Side by Side
Great Britain, 2013

Director: Landon, Arthur
Production company: Newtide Films
Age recommendation: 8 years and up

Synopsis:
Lauren and her younger brother Harvey risk being taken into care when their grandmother, who is their legal guardian, becomes ill. Lauren accepts the offer of a scholarship to a prestigious sports academy on the understanding that she and Harvey stay together while living with Janice, her duplicitous and ambitious agent. It soon becomes clear that there are plans to split the pair up; when Harvey runs away to find their long-lost grandfather, who hasn’t been heard from for years, Lauren follows. En route the pair discover that, despite all their differences, when they are side by side they are strong enough to deal with anything. This beautifully shot British debut is part family drama, part coming of age story and a road trip that nods towards some of the greats of children’s literature. The young leads give compelling and moving performances that make for an emphatically British family film that’s refreshingly free of even the hint of a franchise.

Justin Johnson, BFI IFF, London, 2013

Festivals:
London IFF 2013, Jeugdfilmfestival Antwerp & Bruges 2014, BUFF Malmö 2014, TIFF Kids Toronto 2014 (awarded), Seoul IYFF 2014, Lucas Frankfurt 2014, Schlingel Chemnitz 2014, Just Film Tallinn 2014

Website: www.newtidefilms.com

World sales address/es:
Cinemavault (CAN)