We’ve had some brilliant news in today that Mecca Film Developments Ltd. is thrilled to announce hilarious and contemporary comedy feature film EATEN BY LIONS, starring some of Britain’s best loved comedians and bright new British acting talent including, Antonio Aakeel (City of Tiny Lights, Tomb Raider, The Hungry, Skins), BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing, Hoff the Record), Jack Carroll (Trollied, Britain’s got Talent), actor and producer Johnny Vegas (Still Open All Hours, Benidorm), Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones, Hot Fuzz) and Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On, Camping, Together). The film will celebrate its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 21st June 2018 and will also showcase at the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival from Monday 25th June.
Written by David Isaac (Coronation Street, Lunch Monkeys, Life of Riley) and Produced by the Award-winning Hannah Stevenson (In Another Life), EATEN BY LIONS is director Jason Wingard’s second feature film. His first feature ‘In Another Life’ (Hannah Stevenson also produced) won Best UK Feature at Raindance 2017 and picked up the BIFA Discovery award (British Independent Film Award).
Eaton By Lions (c) Andy Hollingworth Archive
EATEN BY LIONS tells the heart-warming story of half-brothers Omar (Antonio Aakeel) and Pete (Jack Carroll), who were raised by their Grandma after their parents were tragically killed by lions in a bizarre accident. When their beloved Gran passes away, they embark on a life-changing journey to find Omar’s real father. What follows is a funny and touching journey of self-discovery for both boys…in Blackpool. The Choudray family represent a truly contemporary example of modern multicultural Britain, but what will the brothers make of their eccentric newfound family?
EATEN BY LIONS, is a charming tale of one boy’s (Antonio Aakeel) search for his biological father and his own sense of identity, and the unexpected ways in which friendships and a sense of belonging are formed in a multicultural society.
Director Jason Wingard said: “The story is essentially about the importance of family. I wanted the viewer to forget about incidentals such as race or disability and focus on the characters. It’s an attitude we applied to everyone in the film really. The story deals with big contemporary issues (class, diversity, disability, inter-racial relations, foster and adoption, sexuality, love, life and death) in a sharp and often irreverent way. A comedy with heart without skimping on laughs.”
Jason began making films whilst working as a stand-up comic in 1998 making super 8 silent films. After this, he enrolled in a filmmaking course and won the Exposures student film festival best animated short in 2000 with his film a ‘Star is Born’ and later won best drama and the audience award in 2002 ‘Where to Mate’ in the same competition. This cemented his love of filmmaking and passion to pick up a camera. Working with stand up comedians as performers Jason quickly developed a style of shooting which allowed comedians the space to be creative in front of the camera.
Jack Carroll said: “I loved the warm, yet still cutting edge nature of the comedy, the expertly drawn characters and the positive message at the heart of the story.”
Johnny Vegas said: “It’s a very relatable story about searching for something… like we all do, and the realisation that what you think you’re looking for is often right in front of you.”
Eaton By Lions Showings in June
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Tuesday 19 June 09:10 Cineworld 12 (Press & Industry Screening)
Thursday 21 June 18:20 Cineworld 12 (Public Screening)
Saturday 23 June 13:15 Cineworld 5 (Public Screening)
Friday 29 June 09:00 Cineworld 12 (Press & Industry Screening)
Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival
Monday 25th June – 18:45 (London Stratford Picturehouse)
Wednesday 27th June – 20:00 (London Leicester Square)
Friday 29th June – 19:00 (Birmingham)
Saturday 30th June – 16:00 (Manchester)
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
