Ratcatcher (1999)

Details: 1999, UK, Cert 15, 97 mins
Direction: Lynne Ramsay
Genre: Drama
Summary: Ratcatcher is set in Glasgow, 1973. The city, despite its Victorian grandeur, has some schemes with the poorest housing conditions in western Europe, such as no running hot water, no bathing facilities and no indoor toilet. The city is mid-way through a major re-development program, demolishing these schemes and re-housing the tenants in new modern estates. The problems in these schemes are somewhat compounded by the binmen going on strike, creating an additional health hazard and a breeding ground for rats. The main character, James, is a 12-year old boy, growing up in one of these schemes, which is gradually emptying, as the re-housed tenants move out. James, with the rest of his family, two sisters, one older, one younger,his mum and heavy-drinking father, patiently waits to be re-housed.
With: Mandy Matthews, Tommy Flanagan and William Eadie

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