Books Movies

Jo Brand book to begin filming

By Ian Carter • 1 year ago

Nov
2016

The More You Ignore Me, the comedy book by Jo Brand, is to start filming today. Set in 1980s rural England, a young mother’s efforts to form a loving family relationship are undermined by her declining mental health. Set to the music of The Smiths,The More You Ignore Me features a host of British stars of stage and screen including Sheridan Smith, Sheila Hancock, Sally Phillips and Ricky Tomlinson.

Press release follows:

The More You Ignore Me

Screen adaptation of Jo Brand’s critically acclaimed book starts shooting with stellar award winning British cast

Genesius Pictures is delighted to announce start of principle photography on THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME on Monday 7 November. The film will shoot for 5 weeks on location in Blackpool.

Based on Jo Brand’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME is a warm, comedy drama focusing on the life of an unconventional family in 1980s rural England. Adapted for screen by Jo Brand, THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME marks the debut feature from multi-award winning commercials director Keith English and will be produced Debbie Gray (Northern Soul).

BAFTA award winning Sheridan Smith stars as Gina, a young mother, whose efforts to be a loving mother and wife are undermined by her declining mental health. Things deteriorate when she develops an obsession with the local weatherman, which leads to an admission to the nearby psychiatric hospital. Over the years, as she grows up, her daughter Alice struggles to relate to her heavily medicated mum, and causes chaos when she comes up with a plan to reconnect with her, which divides the family forever and leads to a moving climax. Set to the songs of The Smiths, THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME provides a sometimes stark, yet comical insight into life within this quirky household, whilst addressing mental health issues and their impact on the family.

THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME also stars Ella Hunt (Les Miserables) as Alice, BAFTA Award nominated Mark Addy (The Full Monty), Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones’s Baby), Olivier Award winning Sheila Hancock CBE (The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas), British Comedy Award winner Ricky Tomlinson (Grimsby), Lisa Stansfield (Northern Soul), Tom Davies (Murder in Successville) and Jo Brand (Getting On).