Benjamin

Director Simon Amstell / / UK

A fable of faltering romance and a withering satire of the artistic temperament from UK comic Simon Amstell.

On the verge of releasing the follow-up to his BAFTA-winning debut, gangly film prodigy Benjamin (Merlin’s Colin Morgan) is crippled with self-doubt. He skulks between London clubs and galleries, wired and neurotic and cracking jokes. When he falls for aloof French singer Noah (Phénix Brossard), he wonders: ‘Could it get any worse?’

In his debut writing and directing feature, acclaimed UK comic, Never Mind The Buzzcocks host and filmmaker Simon Amstell sharply examines creative and romantic angst. Benjamin’s string of absurd encounters with performance artists, comedians and musicians in London’s pretentious art scene is painfully true to life. But when it comes to love, Benjamin and Noah’s awkward courtship blossoms with enormous empathy and heart.

Of course, Benjamin might well be titled Simon. In mining his life, Amstell has created a tender and knowing exploration of self-sabotage and self-acceptance.

“Simon Amstell’s funny, charming and overpoweringly personal comedy is a nervous romance, in which both parties get to be Annie Hall … a miraculously heartfelt love story, sweet and poignant in all its awkwardness.” – The Guardian

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