BAFTA Outstanding Debuts

Cert

Age group14+

Duration94 mins

Ratcatcher(1999)

Dark, unique portrait of Glasgow in the 1970s, about a boy who blames himself after his friend drowns in a canal.

Lynne Ramsey’s Ratcatcher is a film of remarkable lyricism and sensitivity. It is also a tough but insightful examination of adolescence and emotional hardship, themes she has returned to throughout her career. Ramsey’s debut also reveals her ability to create genuinely beautiful imagery, resulting in a haunting film that stays with anybody who encounters it.

Cert

Age group14+

Duration83 mins

The Warrior(2001)

In feudal India, a warrior renounces his role after being struck by a vision when asked to carry out a particularly gruesome task.

Asif Kapadia has gone on to find his greatest success with documentary, through pioneering, era defining work such as Amy and Senna. His feature debut is seemingly very different, a meditative but tense drama about violence in an ancient period of Indian history. But the film is equally engrossing and full of the cinematic flair for which he has rightly become renowned.

Cert

Age group16+

Duration91 mins

A Way of Life(2004)

A poignant tale that permits us to connect with the lives of children struggling to survive and to cling onto their dreams of a happy future.

Amma Asante is rightly celebrated as a filmmaker with the ability to blend the personal and political through her work in compelling, accessible ways. Her debut feature also highlights her compassionate style and ability to tell stories about people on the margins of society, without shying away from gruelling community and racial tensions and their impact on individuals.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration127 mins

Pride & Prejudice(2005)

Adaptation of Jane Austen's classic story of five sisters from an English family of landed gentry dealing with marriage, morality and misconceptions.

The period drama is often dismissed as a rather stale genre. But Joe Wright brought energy and vigour to his adaptation of Austen’s classic novella, adding real cinematic flair to the traditional set up. The film also established him as a filmmaker with a remarkable eye for new talent, with a number of major stars making early appearances in this delightful comedy.

Cert

Age group16+

Duration93 mins

Moon(2009)

Clever, inventive sci-fi film about an astronaut running a mining operation on the moon, with a robot as his only source of conversation.

Duncan Jones marked himself as a visually dynamic, witty and original filmmaker with this cult hit. Providing a fresh take on well-worn cinematic tropes, Moon stands out for its rich characterisation and dialogue, as well as its stunning visuals, a feat compounded by its relatively modest budget, achieving the rare successful blend of fantastical storytelling and human drama.

Cert

Age group16+

Duration92 mins

Hunger(2008)

Drama following the hunger strike of Provisional IRA members, centring on Bobby Sands. A tense and relentless meditation on brutality.

Turner prize winning artist Steve McQueen achieved Oscar success with his visceral drama 12 Years A Slave, but his debut feature is every bit as impactful. A harrowing story, the film announced McQueen as a provocative, challenging and uncompromising filmmaker, prepared to make audiences feel uncomfortable but also tell stories of remarkable compassion and insight.