As much as Ibiza is a place where unusual things happen on a regular basis and where an invitation, whether it be to a restaurant, a party, a bar opening or a boat trip is not completely uncommon, an invitation to a private screening of a new movie in a very old cinema in Santa Eulalia is not something we were expecting this summer! Cathal Joseph Smyth, or Chas Smash to you or I, has put together an intimate showing of ‘Ill Manors’, the latest creative project from Ben Drew (Plan B). Written and directed by Ben Drew, the movie is a gritty tale of a week in the life of eight main characters in Forest Gate, with the sound track acting as narration throughout.
Cathal enjoys a small cameo role, has co-written ‘Great Day For A Murder’ one of the tracks on the hard hitting soundtrack, and his daughter Eloise is one of the stars of the movie so he has plenty to be proud of from the movie and is keen to share the experience with his extended Ibiza family. Faces from all over the island are in attendance, Shovell Drum Warrior, George Nightmares On Wax and Mike & Claire Manumission, also currently working on a movie project, are just some of the attendees. The cinema is packed, everyone has their complimentary popcorn and after a few short words from the man himself the projector rolls.
The cinema is not your typical multiplex, this is a theatre that has been showcasing talent long before the invasion of clubbers over two decades ago, it has character and plenty of it, the perfect spot for the showing of ‘Ill Manors’, a movie based around the life and violent circles of eight main characters. Riz Ahmed is the most recognizable name on the cast list of performers, with recent success in ‘Four Lions’ and delivers a strong performance as Aaron but it’s not about individuals, the whole movie is littered with amazing performances, Ed Skrein as Ed, Keith Coggins as Kirby, Ryan De La Cruz as Jake and Eloise Smyth as Jodie, to highlight only a few, everyone plays a part in the gritty British crime drama that grabs the attention from the opening to the closing credits; challenging sensibilities, opening eyes and minds to a world of struggle for survival and respect. Throughout the two hour journey, it makes us laugh, grimace, jump and cry as it deals with real social issues such as foster care, drugs, gangs, prostitution, human trafficking, bullying and murder in a white-knuckle ride from start to finish.
Look out for a few cameo’s along the way – Ben Drew appears at the end driving a cab, John Cooper Clarke plays himself waxing lyrical on stage in the pub, Chas Smash makes an appearance and there’s also an unlikely pop up from Mike ‘Cuban Brothers’. The movie is dark and at just over two hours there is plenty to take in but it’s challenging in a good way and by the end credits, it’s a journey you will be glad to have taken. After the movie we headed to Woktails for food and cocktails where we bumped into the cast again. Nic, Essential’s trusty snapper was privileged to witness an impromptu street performance as Faith SFX delivered a beat box while Plan B casually dropped some lyrics over the top. Only in Ibiza!
