London-based Rogue has added Molly Manning Walker to its directorial roster for U.K. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Walker’s arrival at Rogue coincides with the launch of her debut commercial for TV, produced by Rogue’s very own Maddy Easton. The film for Amazon’s new pan-European UEFA Women’s Football brand campaign, centers around Walker’s passion–football–and is a celebration of the skill, spirit and sheer quality in the women’s game today. As a cinematographer, Walker has worked on a slate of commercial projects with many directors and production companies, notably Rogue’s Lisa Gunning and Stacy Wall as well as a long-term collaboration with her good friend and director Billy Boyd Cape, for brands including Diesel, Amazon, Nike, Uber-Eats, NHS and Pride. A multi award-winning writer/director and cinematographer, Walker’s feature directorial debut How to Have Sex (2023) won the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and the European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI at the 36th European Film Awards. It also earned three nominations at the 77th British Academy Film Awards including Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Mia McKenna-Bruce, the film’s lead actor, won the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award for her performance. Walker’ first feature film as a cinematographer–director Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper–won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2023. Walker was nominated at the BIFAs for best cinematography and the film also went on to be nominated for Outstanding British Film at the 77th British Academy Film Awards. Director Walker’s first short film Good Thanks, You? was included in the Semaine De La Critique program at Cannes and her second short The Forgotten C was BIFA nominated…..
Review: Director Ben Taylor’s “Joy”
Toward the end of Netflix's "Joy," the muffled cry of a newborn baby prompts a man and woman in a hospital to embrace out of pure bliss. They aren't the parents, but they had as much to do with the birth as the mom and dad.
This charming and winning movie charts the decade-long true story of how the world's first IVF baby was born in England in 1978 — a 5-pound, 12-ounce girl who paved the way for millions more. It's an upbeat, very English affair, mixing sober discussion of endometriosis with chocolate biscuits.
The couple embracing that day were pioneering scientist Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist. Together with surgeon Patrick Steptoe, the trio succeeded with in vitro fertilization, a method of treating infertility. Edwards would go on to win the Nobel Prize.
"Joy" has been birthed at a time when science is under threat in America — even IVF — so it's downright inspiring to see plucky, smart scientists working hard to change the world. "What we're doing, it matters," says Steptoe, played with quiet economy by Bill Nighy.
"Joy" is the personal stories of the three scientists — mostly through the eyes of Purdy, a polite lab-coated warrior. "If I hear a commotion, I'm not very good at staying out of it," she says. Perfectly played by Thomasin McKenzie, Purdy is both vulnerable and strong, learning through the process to be a better human. James Norton plays Edwards with charm, self-doubt and calm spirit.
Jack Thorne's script nicely explains the massive pressure the trio faced. IVF may have become common and uncontroversial over the last decades, but back in the late '70s it was experimental and shunned. The Anglican church called it a sin, the newspapers labeled it Frankenstein-ish and other... Read More