social realism : a very English genre

one director that uses a social realist genre in there films is mike Leigh. he is an English writer who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, East 15 Acting School and further at the Camberwell School of Art, the Central School of Art and Design and London Film School. he began as a theatre director and playwright in the mid-1960s. his most famous film is called secrets and lies published in 1996 and is about different races being family. the film was nominated for many Baftas including best director and best original screen play. Leigh was inspired by people close to him who have experienced adoption related experiences similar

to the one in the film Speaking on the subject, he stated: "I wanted for years to make a film which explored this predicament in a fictitious way. I also wanted to make a film about the new generation of young black people who are moving on and getting away from the ghetto stereotypes. And these were jumping off points for a film which turns out to be an exploration of roots and identity. most of the roles in the film are improvised the actors were told about there roles and came up with there own lines. critics of the film argued that the film isn't real life and supporters said that the film gives normal people hope that there problems can be resolved.

another one of Leighs popular films is vera drake where he incorporated elements of his own childhood. swell as secrets and lies the actors also used improvisation in order to make the film seem more real and capture actors unscripted emotions. the subject of back street abortion makes the film controversial.