A DOCUMENTARY film telling the story of a Stourbridge country musician has won a ‘best film’ award at the London Independent Film Festival.
The Black Country Cowboy, directed by Ryan Davies, which follows 78-year-old Pete Boddis, was named Best Short Documentary Film at the prestigious film festival.
Pete has been performing since he was 16 and is a local legend on the music scene. Despite this he has never been signed to a record label or publishing dealing. Instead, he has released his music independently over the last 55 years.
Ryan, a former MA creative writing and screenplay student at BCU, said: “I think the film resonates with so many people because at one level his is a story of persistence and unrecognised talent – but at its heart it’s love story between Pete and his wife Lynn.”
He said it was “amazing” to see the film nominated – adding: “The win at LIFE was a great surprise.”
Senior lecturer in film business and promotions, Alan Mcqueen, produced the film, while four other BCU alumnus - Bradfield Thomas, Kiran Panchal, Oliver DuPont and Betsy Jo Warren - also worked on the project.
Ryan said: “Our ethic has always been that we want to use local talent and involve the students as much as possible.
“We are aware of how important practical experience is for learning, creating a network for future collaborators and making contacts in the industry.”
The Black Country Cowboy has also been screened at the Golden Eyes film festival and it will be shown at Birmingham’s Flatpack Festival, which runs from May 10 to 19, and Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, which runs from August 30 to September 1, where Pete Boddis will also perform.
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