When a prank goes wrong on a London estate – Sarah-Lee learns that it’s not all fun and games when it comes to growing up.
With not much else to do apart from cause trouble on the block – Knock Down Ginger is a coming of age film that explores female companionship, peer pressure and consequences. Set in the era of Nokia phones, tracksuit bottoms, reebok classics, old school garage and drum and bass, for some viewers it will have a feeling of nostalgia. The main character initially wants to hang out with a gang of older girls but struggles to impress them – meanwhile a prank goes wrong and Sarah -Lee learns that it’s not all fun and games when it comes to growing up.
The idea came about because I used to do this kind of stuff when I was younger. I definitely went through that phase as a teenager and have lots of different memories. For this film I had one scene in my head for ages – which was a gang of girls running like mad down a tower block stairwell, I couldn’t get it out of my head so I decided to create a story around it. I saw that Film London and the BFI were funding 20 short films so that was my chance to get the idea on paper and submit it for funding. The main goal of the short was to make a film that I myself, and my mates would enjoy. I wanted it to be exciting and entertaining and wanted to challenge myself with the story.
The film gets just about every feeling right, the connections, the excitement, the rage and fear, as well as the sheer force of teenagers feeding off each other. Directed and brought together by Cleo Samoles-Little who brought her own personal experiences into the basis of the film, but relies on a solid cast to deliver the great tensions and drama. The drum and bass just pulls all the rest together.