Summer Scars

Julian Richard’s dark and disquieting coming of age drama is richly enhanced by a number of fully fleshed extra features such a making-of documentary, commentary, DVDROM content - including press pack, shooting script and final transcript - and a short film, Pirates, by the director. It is a tightly paced and expertly crafted comedy about a punk, a bodybuilder and a college boy who are employed at a warehouse and discover their boss, who exploits them for cheap labour, is importing pirate video cassettes. Brushes with death, casual racism, a frantic chase scene and much slap-stick ensue.

The making of documentary features interviews with the young, articulate and enthusiastic cast and key members of the crew, including director Richards. All involved talk about the challenges and subsequent rewards of low-budget filmmaking (a theme that reoccurs in the commentary), the autobiographical origins of the story, developing and exploring the characters and the general filming process.

The commentary, featuring a candid and laid back Richards along with his producer Sabina Sattar, probes matters such as the director’s influences and how he assembled his eclectic and dependable crew and gradually reveals how Richards crafted such an effective little thriller with a distinctly nasty under-current. Dark, compelling stuff.