“Triangle and Sadness” and “Babygirl” star Harris Dickinson has delighted the Cannes crowd with his feature directorial debut “Urchin.”
The film, led by “Fear the Walking Dead” star Frank Dillane and a vivid portrayal of homelessness and mental health on the streets of London, had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard competition. “Urchin” earned its new filmmaker and his cast an enthusiastic 5-minute ovation.
Dickinson looked relieved at the reception, waving across the room to whoops from the crowd.
“It’s really an honor to be here and to share it with you guy is special,” he told the audience before the screening. “I’m nervous. I hope you enjoy it and if you don’t, tell us gently.”
Judging by the response, few didn’t enjoy it. Among those joining in the ovation was Paul Mescal, soon set to star alongside Dickinson in the upcoming quartet of films about The Beatles (Dickinson plays John Lennon to Mescal’s Paul McCartney). The two hugged after the screening and were seen arm in arm as they left the theater afterwards.
Written by Dickinson, “Urchin” sees Dillane play Mike, a rough sleeper in the British capital trapped in a cycle of self-destruction as he attempts to turn his life around following a spell in prison. The film, both raw and absurd, and seeks to capture the strange patterns that keep pulling people back in. Megan Northam, Amr Waked, Karyna Khymchuk and Shonagh Marie also star.
“Urchin” also marks Dickinson’s return to Cannes just three years after his breakout lead role in Ruben Ostlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” which would win the Palme d’Or and spark a major ascendency for the British actor. Since then, he has appeared in “Where the Crawdads Sing” alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones, the Zac Efron-led wrestling drama “The Iron Claw,” Steve McQueen WWII drama “Blitz” and last year’s “Babygirl” with Nicole Kidman. “Urchin,” which also comes from Dickinson’s newly launched productioin banner Devisio, went into production once he had finished shooting “Babygirl” in early 2024.
“Urchin” is produced by Archie Pearch for Devisio Pictures and Scott O’Donnell for Somesuch. Developed by BBC Film, it’s financed by BBC Film, BFI and Tricky Knot. Executive Producers are Eva Yates, Ama Ampadu, Alexandra Tynion and Olivia Tyson. Filming took place in East London.
“Urchin” is currently being sold worldwide by Charades.
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