Synopsis
Based on the writer/director's childhood, FARMING tells the story of a young Nigerian boy, 'farmed out' by his parents to a white British family in the hope of a better future. Instead, he becomes the feared leader of a white skinhead gang.
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Cast
- Damson IdrisEnitan
- Kate BeckinsaleIngrid Carpenter
- John DagleishLevi
- Gugu Mbatha-RawMs. Dapo
- Jaime WinstoneLynn
- Genevieve NnajiTolu
- Zephan AmissahYoung Emi
- Adewale Akinnuoye-AgbajeFemi
- Cosmo JarvisJonesy
- Lee RossJack
Recommendations
- 80
Screen Daily
Told with raw emotion and lurid violence, it transforms elements of his life story into a disturbing, eye-opening coming of age drama. - 60
The New York Times
Farming is a mystery movie in which the author investigates himself — and doesn’t fully share the answers. - 60
The Guardian
Farming is a tough film on a tough subject. There’s not much light and shade – but there can’t have been much light and shade going through it in real life – and Gubu Mbatha-Raw’s role as the concerned teacher is weakly drawn. - 60
Time Out
It has a kernel of raw torment and an unforgiving streak that hints at still-unreconciled wounds, too. It’s not the best film of the year, but it’s definitely one of the most personal. - 50
Los Angeles Times
Some distance between the source and the story would have benefited the themes at play, which end up buried beneath punches, slurs and bestial masculinity. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
Closely based on the director's own troubled youth, Farming is rooted in rich, complex, potentially gripping material. But Akinnuoye-Agbaje slaps this story together with so little subtlety, he ends up seriously diluting its dramatic power. - 50
Variety
Unremittingly, bludgeoningly bleak in its portrayal of his own degradation and humiliation, and displaying only a passing interest in his eventual rehabilitation, the film is remarkable for its lack of self-pity, but it makes the experience of “Farming” a merciless one for the audience too. - 40
Empire
Though the central performance is impressively raw Farming’s uncompromising bleakness drowns out the fascinating story, making it a far tougher watch than it needs to be.
