Interview: Director Keith English on ‘The More You Ignore Me’

In his latest interview/podcast, host Stuart Wright talks to director Keith English about the period, comedy/drama The More You Ignore Me. Written by Jo Brand and starring Sheridan Smith, Ella Hunt, Mark Addy, Sally Phillips and Sheila Hancock.

Alice (Ella Hunt) and her family are far from conventional. Residing in a cottage in rural Hertfordshire, Alice lives with her hippy-like father Keith (Mark Addy) and unpredictable mother, Gina (Sheridan Smith). Gina suffers from mental illness and is constantly floating in and out of Alice’s life. Gina’s mental illness reaches new heights when her unhealthy obsession with the local weatherman intensifies, and she decides to climb naked on his roof holding Alice’s pet guinea pig. Gina is admitted to a local psychiatric hospital, leaving Alice in the hands of her irresponsible dad. She is left to fight the up-hill struggles of teenage life alone, all while worrying about her mentally ill mother.

One day, after watching The Smiths perform on an episode Top of the Pops, Alice is enlightened by their performance and develops an obsession with lead singer, Morrissey. Longing to salvage a relationship with her mum, Alice hatches a plan to reconnect with Gina. But what follows next could end up dividing the family even more… A heart-warming comedy, The More You Ignore Me gives a resonating account of family life in 1980s rural England.

The More You Ignore Me is in UK cinemas from July 6th 2018.