Set in Glasgow, Scotland, the film is about a girl called Eve who is in the hospital dealing with some emotional problems and starts writing songs as a way of getting better. Songwriting becomes her way forward, leading her to the City where she meets James and Cassie, two musicians each at crossroads of their own. What follows is a story of renaissance over the course of a long, dream-like Summer.
God Help the Girl is a British musical drama film written and directed by Stuart Murdoch of the band Belle and Sebastian. The film premiered in-competition in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2014
The film served as the opening night film of the Generations section at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival on February 9, 2014. After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Amplify acquired the distribution rights of the film. It was released theatrically and Video on demand on September 5, 2014 in the United States.
About the Story
Eve escapes from the psychiatric hospital where she is being treated for anorexia nervosa and makes her way to Glasgow, hoping to become a musician. At a gig, she meets James, a lifeguard and aspiring songwriter. He introduces her to his guitar student Cassie, and the three become friends.
Eve meets Anton, the arrogant singer of Wobbly-Legged Rat, a Glasgow band attracting attention from a local radio station. She gives him a tape of her music to pass on and they begin seeing each other.
James convinces Eve she needs bass and drums to finish her songs. They and Cassie form a band, God Help the Girl, with some local musicians. Anton admits he never gave Eve’s tape to the radio producers, saying she needs better production and musicianship, and they argue.
James discovers Eve’s relationship with Anton and becomes distanced from her. Feeling alone, Eve takes drugs and returns to hospital. She tells James she plans to attend music college in London, and they reconcile. After God Help the Girl performs their final concert, the radio station play Eve’s tape. The next day, she leaves for London.
God Help the Girl
Directed by: Stuart Murdoch
Starring: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger. Cora Bisset, Ann Scott-Jones
Screenplay by: Stuart Murdoch
Production Design by: Mark Leese
Cinematography by: Giles Nuttgens
Film Editing by: David Arthur
Costume Design by: Denise Coombes
Art Direction by: Caroline Grebbell
MPAA Rating: None.
Studio: Amplify
Release Date: September 5, 2014
Visits: 46
