Hyde Park Pick: Game

The creative team behind Game are cause for celebration. It's the first feature from Invada Films, the brand new arm of Bristol based record Label Invada Records. It's also the feature debut of director John Minton, and it's always exciting to have a new face, new name, new maker to get excited about.

Director aside, the production team include a few familiar names and faces. Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak) both co-wrote the screenplay and took on the producer role. This is his first feature writing credit but he's been working around films for a long time, and we've loved some of his recent scores, including one of our other favourites films of the year so far, Tim Mielant's Steve, as well as numerous Alex Garland collaborations.

Sticking to the musical thread, Game is a real two hander in front of the camera and both leads have interesting but pretty different CVs. Poacher is played by Jason Williamson, the lead singer and lyricist for Sleaford Mods. Williamson has previously done some acting in Bird, Peaky Blinders and Landscapers, but Game really makes space for his frenetic energy and sharp edges to really shine.

David is played by actor, writer, and designer Marc Besant. Familiar for popping up in litany of stage and screen roles—including those for directors Alice Lowe and Todd Komarnicki—Game marks his debut lead role in a feature film. In addition, he has collaborated with many musicians and filmmakers, creating distinctive designs for Portishead, Peter Gabriel, and others.

Game is a tight piece of filmmaking, using it's 83 minute runtime and restrained range of locations to craft a compelling crime thriller full of atmosphere.... specifically a highly tense atmosphere that seeks to grab it's audience quickly and effectively before running off and leaving you to fathom the detail of some of what just went on.

I enjoyed Game because it caught me off guard. I didn't know what I was going in to and it reminded me of the excitement of watching other British indies like Shallow Grave for the first time. It's a particular sort of thrill and one which for me always hits best is the cinema.

Game screens daily at HPPH from Fri 21 Nov – film info, showtimes and tickets are available here.