ENTHUSIASM is eveything.
Renowned photographer Elaine Constantine, director of new movie Northern Soul, grew up in Bury, living and breathing the music, the clothes and the clubs of the distinctive sub-culture.
The obsession never left her, in fact the remarkable impact of Northern Soul became a story she needed to tell on film.
Longridge and Whitehouse will be joined by Lisa Stansfield, James Lance, Christian Mckay, Ricky Tomlinson and Roisin Murphy with Steve Coogan also making an appearance.
“When Northern Soul exploded out of the North," Constantine says, "it touched young lives in a way that nothing had done before. It was spellbinding to witness; young lads, who never expressed themselves, were suddenly dancing with passion. As a young teenager, it gave me an overwhelming feeling of belonging and euphoria. It’s this same feeling of excitement and belonging to something different and special that I want to give to the audience of the film.”
Northern Soul
To this end Constantine has spent five years working with a script doctor to ensure that her project has authenticity and integrity but also appeals to an audience beyond the North of England. Constantine thinks this tale has global reach.
It probably does. It certainly will pull in the locals.
Earlier this year Confidential broke a story about the impending demolition of The Twisted Wheel club in Manchester, one of the key centres for the 1970s' Northern Soul scene. The story had more than 20,000 reads in a week, click here.
This film will no doubt tap into the appeal of this working class dance movement.
The cast has been hand-picked by Constantine, choosing unknown actors Elliot James Langridge and Josh Whitehouse to play the lead parts. Both have had to learn the complex dance moves of Northern Soul and the local accents
Longridge and Whitehouse will be joined by Lisa Stansfield, James Lance, Christian Mckay, Ricky Tomlinson and Roisin Murphy with Steve Coogan also making an appearance. The film is due for release Spring 2013. The film begins shooting in the North West in July and you can get involved - see yellow box below.
Time to dust down those parrallels.
Web: www.northernsoulthefilm.com
WANT TO BE IN THE MOVIE?
Anyone interested in participating in the filming should ideally have an understanding and appreciation of Northern Soul so that the 'feeling' is truly authentic, and of course, they should have a willingness to dance. The only pre-requisite is that participants are over 18 and register online via the website www.northernsoulthefilm.com - places will be issued on a first come first served basis.
