Shane Meadows

Shane Meadows is a renowned English director, screenwriter, and actor who garnered considerable recognition for his monumental contribution to the realm of independent film. He played a pivotal role in shaping cult-classic films such as This Is England in 2006 and its three sequels released from 2010 to 2015. Meadows' other notable works include Small Time (1996), Twenty Four Seven (1997), A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002), Dead Man's Shoes (2004), Somers Town (2006), Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (2009), and The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (2013). His films, often set in the Midlands, are characterized by a level of realism reminiscent of directors Mike Leigh and Alan Clarke. Yet, his use of autobiographical material and popular music soundtracks is largely inspired by Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets. His works are semi-autobiographical and chiefly rooted in his experiences in Uttoxeter, his hometown. Meadow's works have earned distinct recognition, such as the Douglas Hickox award at the British Independent Film Awards for Twenty Four Seven and a BAFTA for his film This is England. In 2021, it was announced that Meadows would be directing a TV series based on a novel by Benjamin Myers, The Gallows Pole, set in 18th century Yorkshire during the onset of the industrial revolution. Collaborations play a vital role in Meadows's work, with Paddy Considine, Vicky McClure, Andrew Shim, Thomas Turgoose, and Jo Hartley among his recurring collaborators.