Shank (film)
Encyclopedia
Shank is a 2010 British action film
written by Paul Van Carter and the directorial debut of Mo Ali. Filmed in London in 2009, the project stars Adam Deacon
, Bashy
, Kaya Scodelario
and Kedar Williams-Stirling, and was released on 26 March 2010.
. The film starts with Junior (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and his brother Rager (Bashy
)'s gang, making a plan of jacking the goods, munchies. When they find the goods, they steal them, as The Souljahs (Gang name) show up and take their goods, giving chase, until they have Junior cornered alone. As they move to stab Junior, Rager reappears and saves him, unaware that the gang leader is behind him, waiting to attack. While he is on the floor, Junior leaves the scene of the crime while The Souljahs beat Rager, before abandoning him to die. Junior, now alone, attracts the attention of Rager's gang (The Paper Chaserz) and aids the central members - Kickz (Adam Deacon
), Craze (Michael Socha) and Sweet Boy (Jan Uddin) - in devising a plan with which to avenge Rager's death. He also seeks the cooperation of a similar (albeit all female) gang, one of whom has been "shanked" by Tugz, leading them to also seek revenge. Each member of the Paper Chaserz leads Junior back to their old gangs, in the hope of gaining support. After each gang dismisses them, Junior and his compatriots finally receive a blessing from Whisper, a gang member of The Originals, and a well-respected man in his own right. Encouraged by the presence of his two cousins within the Paper Chaserz, Whisper agrees to bring his own gang to the battle against and The Souljah's, which allows Rager's gang to gain victory over their rivals. Meanwhile, after a brief scuffle between Junior and Tugz, Junior manages to lure the gang leader away from the fight, giving him the chance to corner Tugz (with a knife earlier given to him by Craze), desperate to attain revenge for his brother's death. However, fraught with an internal conflict over his morals, Tugz manages to take the knife from Junior and attack him, before overbalancing and falling down a flight of stairs. Then follows a short scene displaying Tugz's face; his eyes open and his face bloody. The film ends with Junior, Craze, Kickz and the female gang members remembering Rager in the place that he died.
, where territory is controlled by roving gangs, who battle over control of food. While filming at the Heygate Estate
in Walworth
, South London
during September 2009, neighbours complained about the film's violent depiction of gangs and turf wars. In February 2010, Quiet Earth wrote that they had been following the project "for some time" and noted that "The look of the film and the performances all seem solid, which is a good sign for Revolver
, considering this is their first feature production."
gave the film two stars out of five stating that "after an explosive opening, it soon slips into the familiar formula of Kidulthood et al: 24 hours of mephedrone-paced escalating violence." Film4
gave the film two stars out of five, stating that it "soon becomes a little awkward, however, with its ambition tempered by uneven execution and a lazy grasp" Empire
gave the film two stars out of five, describing the film as "all style over substance, the dialogue’s risible and the film looks like it was informed by a generation raised on Grand Theft Auto
for any sort of cinematic aesthetic. If this is the future of film then we’re all doomed." The Birmingham Post
wrote that "the risible script is incoherent, the dialogue frequently unintelligible and the story is nothing new", giving the film one star. Shank has a 0% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
written by Paul Van Carter and the directorial debut of Mo Ali. Filmed in London in 2009, the project stars Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon is a British actor and rapper from Hackney, North-East London who rose to prominence after starring in the film Kidulthood as well as the sequel Adulthood...
, Bashy
Bashy
Ashley Thomas , better known by his stage name Bashy, is an English recording artist and actor. He rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of his controversial track "Black Boys".-Early life:...
, Kaya Scodelario
Kaya Scodelario
Kaya Rose Scodelario is a British actress and model. She is best known for her role as Effy Stonem in the E4 drama Skins.-Skins :...
and Kedar Williams-Stirling, and was released on 26 March 2010.
Plot
Shank is a youth-based action film, set in a decaying future LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The film starts with Junior (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and his brother Rager (Bashy
Bashy
Ashley Thomas , better known by his stage name Bashy, is an English recording artist and actor. He rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of his controversial track "Black Boys".-Early life:...
)'s gang, making a plan of jacking the goods, munchies. When they find the goods, they steal them, as The Souljahs (Gang name) show up and take their goods, giving chase, until they have Junior cornered alone. As they move to stab Junior, Rager reappears and saves him, unaware that the gang leader is behind him, waiting to attack. While he is on the floor, Junior leaves the scene of the crime while The Souljahs beat Rager, before abandoning him to die. Junior, now alone, attracts the attention of Rager's gang (The Paper Chaserz) and aids the central members - Kickz (Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon is a British actor and rapper from Hackney, North-East London who rose to prominence after starring in the film Kidulthood as well as the sequel Adulthood...
), Craze (Michael Socha) and Sweet Boy (Jan Uddin) - in devising a plan with which to avenge Rager's death. He also seeks the cooperation of a similar (albeit all female) gang, one of whom has been "shanked" by Tugz, leading them to also seek revenge. Each member of the Paper Chaserz leads Junior back to their old gangs, in the hope of gaining support. After each gang dismisses them, Junior and his compatriots finally receive a blessing from Whisper, a gang member of The Originals, and a well-respected man in his own right. Encouraged by the presence of his two cousins within the Paper Chaserz, Whisper agrees to bring his own gang to the battle against and The Souljah's, which allows Rager's gang to gain victory over their rivals. Meanwhile, after a brief scuffle between Junior and Tugz, Junior manages to lure the gang leader away from the fight, giving him the chance to corner Tugz (with a knife earlier given to him by Craze), desperate to attain revenge for his brother's death. However, fraught with an internal conflict over his morals, Tugz manages to take the knife from Junior and attack him, before overbalancing and falling down a flight of stairs. Then follows a short scene displaying Tugz's face; his eyes open and his face bloody. The film ends with Junior, Craze, Kickz and the female gang members remembering Rager in the place that he died.
Cast
- Kedar Williams-Stirling as Junior
- Ashley 'Bashy' ThomasBashyAshley Thomas , better known by his stage name Bashy, is an English recording artist and actor. He rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of his controversial track "Black Boys".-Early life:...
as Rager - Adam DeaconAdam DeaconAdam Deacon is a British actor and rapper from Hackney, North-East London who rose to prominence after starring in the film Kidulthood as well as the sequel Adulthood...
as Kickz - Jerome HolderJerome HolderJerome Holder is an English actor, best known for appearing in CBBC's The Story of Tracy Beaker as Maxi, Holby City as Max Tyson and Fallout as Clinton. He has also appeared in Casualty and The Bill...
as Tugz - Colin SalmonColin SalmonColin Salmon is a British actor best known for playing the character Charles Robinson in three James Bond films.-Personal life:...
as Boogie - Kaya ScodelarioKaya ScodelarioKaya Rose Scodelario is a British actress and model. She is best known for her role as Effy Stonem in the E4 drama Skins.-Skins :...
as Tasha 'Tash' - Jennie JacquesJennie JacquesJennie Jacques is an English actress who first came to prominence playing Annie Miller, a significant role featuring in five episodes of the BBC series Desperate Romantics, a six-part television drama serial about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, first broadcast on BBC Two in July and August...
as Ree Ree - Rheanne Murray as Lexy
- Dean Bernard as Gang member
- Moe Hassan as Gang member
- Aml AmeenAml AmeenAml Eysan Ameen is an English actor best known for his roles as Trife in Kidulthood, Lewis Hardy in The Bill and Malcolm in Harry's Law.-Biography:...
as Bus Conductor - Michael SochaMichael SochaMichael Socha is an English actor, best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films This Is England and Summer, and the television series This Is England '86 and Being Human.-Early life:...
as Craze - Lil' Joe as Lil' Joe from Wall Heath
- Eggy as David Ridings
- Robert FucillaRobert FucillaRobert Fucilla is an English actor and film producer born in South London, England to Francesco Fucilla and Ivana Perewiznyk. He spent two years acting and working in Los Angeles after graduating from college....
as Breezer - Reece BrownReece BrownReece Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United.-Career:Brown joined Manchester United at the age of nine, having previously played for Fletcher Moss Rangers...
as mix bread - Jan Uddin as Sweet Boy
- Tempa TTempa TTempa T born , also known as Tempz/T. is a Ghanaian British Grime MC originating from East london and member of underground Grime Crew "Slew Dem Crew". Tempz is particularly known for excitable nature, his angry lyrics, raw energy and muscles the hype that he creates with his tracks. He released a...
as Himself - D Double E as Himself
- Rebecca WalshRebecca WalshRebecca Walsh is an English actress, best known for playing Mary in the 2010 British gangster movie Bonded by Blood.-Career:...
as Beanie
Background
Shank is set in a decaying future LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where territory is controlled by roving gangs, who battle over control of food. While filming at the Heygate Estate
Heygate Estate
The Heygate Estate is a large housing estate located in Walworth, Southwark, south London. The estate is currently under demolition.Heygate is one of the most high-profile estates in the United Kingdom, due to its notoriety and usage as a filming location...
in Walworth
Walworth
-Places:United Kingdom* Walworth, County DurhamUnited States* Walworth County, South Dakota* Walworth County, Wisconsin* Walworth, New York* Walworth, Wisconsin, a village* Walworth , Wisconsin, a town...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
during September 2009, neighbours complained about the film's violent depiction of gangs and turf wars. In February 2010, Quiet Earth wrote that they had been following the project "for some time" and noted that "The look of the film and the performances all seem solid, which is a good sign for Revolver
Revolver Entertainment
Revolver Entertainment is a marketing-lead, all rights film distribution company. Founded in 1997, the company has operations in both London and Los Angeles....
, considering this is their first feature production."
Reception
In the United Kingdom, the film has received negative reviews. The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
gave the film two stars out of five stating that "after an explosive opening, it soon slips into the familiar formula of Kidulthood et al: 24 hours of mephedrone-paced escalating violence." Film4
Film4
Film4 is a free digital television channel available in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned and operated by Channel 4, that screens films.-Programming:...
gave the film two stars out of five, stating that it "soon becomes a little awkward, however, with its ambition tempered by uneven execution and a lazy grasp" Empire
Empire (magazine)
Empire is a British film magazine published monthly by Bauer Consumer Media. From the first issue in July 1989, the magazine was edited by Barry McIlheney and published by Emap. Bauer purchased Emap Consumer Media in early 2008...
gave the film two stars out of five, describing the film as "all style over substance, the dialogue’s risible and the film looks like it was informed by a generation raised on Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto or grand theft auto may refer to:*Motor vehicle theft, a crime in many jurisdictions*Grand Theft Auto , a 1977 film directed by Ron Howard*Grand Theft Auto , a video game series...
for any sort of cinematic aesthetic. If this is the future of film then we’re all doomed." The Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
The Birmingham Post newspaper was originally published under the name Daily Post in Birmingham, England, in 1857 by John Frederick Feeney. It was the largest selling broadsheet in the West Midlands, though it faced little if any competition in this category. It changed to tabloid size in 2008...
wrote that "the risible script is incoherent, the dialogue frequently unintelligible and the story is nothing new", giving the film one star. Shank has a 0% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews.