Chichester Cinema at New Park
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story
- Nick Moran Double Bill
Nick Moran’s bio-pic on the life and death of influential 1960s record producer Joe Meek.
The life and death of influential 1960s record producer Joe Meek (Britain's unsung answer to Phil Spector) is brought to the screen in the directorial debut of actor Nick Moran (‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’). Adapted from the acclaimed play, Moran has great fun evoking the pre-Beatles era. He skilfully portrays the world of pill-popping pioneer Meek (Con O'Neill) and the lively, anything-goes madness of his Holloway Road flat-cum-studio, where he created distinctive electronic tracks (such as the massive hit ‘Telstar’) and nurtured the career of his platinum blond heart-throb Heinz Burt (JJ Feild).
There's also a wealth of supporting talent, including Kevin Spacey, James Corden and a number of rock star cameos. Moran also addresses Meek's gay self-loathing, fascination with the occult, terrible business deals and the increasing paranoia that alienated his inner circle and led to his tragic downfall. O'Neill, re-creating his award-winning stage performance, expertly captures Meek's arrogance in a biopic that's a must for pop music fans.
Moran is clearly an actors’ director, drawing fine supporting performances from the likes of Corden, Ralf Little and Tom Burke, and a hilarious cameo from Spacey as Meek’s stiff-upper-lipped business partner. This intriguing tale is told with energy, style and wit by Moran, who also captures a real sense of the period.
- Nick Moran Double Bill: THE KID & TELSTAR
UK · 2008 · Nick Moran · 119min
