Marc Warren and director Paul Hills take us behind the scenes of, ‘Boston Kickout’….

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Before the gritty realism of films like Trainspotting and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels hit the scene, there was Boston Kickout. This 1995 indie flick, shot in Stevenage, offered a raw, semi-autobiographical look at the lives of four friends. It’s fascinating to see early performances from now-familiar faces like John Simm, Andrew Lincoln, and Marc Warren – definitely a film for those interested in the roots of British independent cinema.

It’s crazy watching Phil and his mates try to figure things out after school. They’re all struggling – unemployment, some getting mixed up in bad stuff, it’s a real mess. Then their friend Ted just vanishes, Steve is trying so hard to please his parents with a normal job, and even Matt gets engaged, which just leaves Phil feeling totally lost. He starts hanging around with Steve’s brother, Robert, who’s a bit of a disaster and always scheming, and suddenly Phil’s caught between this crazy criminal world and just… everyday life. Things start to look up a little when his cousin Shona arrives and gives him the push he needed. He knows he needs to change things, but it feels like some huge decisions are coming up, and I’m on the edge of my seat to see what happens next!

We spoke with the film’s director, Paul Hills, and actor Marc Warren about the challenges of making the movie – including disagreements with the Stevenage council during filming. They also discussed the fantastic soundtrack, featuring bands like Oasis, Primal Scream, The Damned, and Joy Division, and a memorable scene involving an extra and a golf club.

The film celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special screening, followed by a discussion with cast members Paul, John Simm, Richard Hanson, and Nathan Valente. They shared stories about making the film, including many humorous anecdotes.

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2025-10-26 02:23