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Eran Creevy’s debut film Shifty was a masterpiece in British cinema. Set within 24 hours, we follow the life of a young drug dealer Shifty (played by Riz Ahmed) and his friend Chris (played by Danny Mays). We join the two in the events of a troublesome day but the most intriguing thing about the film is that we get deep into psyche and subconscious of the characters themselves. It’s not a film about drugs, it’s a film about people. We recently caught up with the two leads Danny and Riz to talk about the film in time with it’s release this week.
Words by Loukia Constantinou
What was it that drew you to the film?
Danny: They offered me the part straight away and I actually turned it down! I turned it down because there was a paid job and I couldn’t afford not to do it. I read the script and I always loved the script and it [the film] got put back luckily for me. Also when I met Ben Pugh the producer and Eran the writer and director they were so lovely as people, so enthusiastic and so passionate about this project that they’d got, in the end it was a no-brainer. No one got paid for it but the quality of the script was the deciding factor.
Riz: Yes. It was the quality of the script and the personalities as well. I knew them [the producer/directors] from before because they shot my first ever music video Post 9/11 Blues. We stayed in touch and became friends. I knew they could work wonders with small budgets so when they offered it to me I was up for it more than anything. It was just a matter of waiting for Danny!
And it was completed in just three weeks right? That must’ve been intense…
Riz: Yes but it was really fun. It was high-octane energy, all hands on deck kind of roll up your sleeves and all muck in. How many clichés can you use in a paragraph?!
It was a low-budget film but it has done so well you wouldn’t think it was…
Danny: Its sort of irrelevant that it cost a hundred grand because it looks like a million pound film. The fact of the matter is, it’s a good film and it stands up and it counts. It’s very accomplished.
Riz: I think if people see it and they don’t know that at all, they’ve come back and said they really like the film. Then when you tell them that, it’s an extra reason for then to be impressed with Eran’s work, and his preparation.
It was Eran’s first film right?
Riz: It was. He’d never worked with actors before but he was a natural. The reason he was really good at directing people was also the reason he was a really good writer and the reason it was so fun to work on. He’s the biggest joker ever! He’s got no pretence. He’s so real, so natural. If he has a really inappropriate thought he’ll just say it – that’s why the script is honest, that’s why on set there was no tension.
Well you two certainly had great on-screen chemistry….
Danny: Everyone’s picked up on our chemistry [laughs].
Riz: it’s been a rollercoaster…his wife hates me!
Danny: [laughs] I love you man…
Riz: Danny came up with a word for it… it was ”bromance”. It’s a bromance because it’s about friendship. The chemistry was there because there was just good vibes on the set. A lot of banter – Danny’s a complete joker. He kept doing all these dances.
Danny: It was really fun.
And did you lot get involved in some “shifty” things in preparation?
Riz: [pointing at Danny] He hooked me up with all his friends [laughs].
Danny: There was a guy called Spencer who I worked with on a film called rehab. I got him in touch with Riz and he was really good.
Riz: Yeah he was really good at breaking it down. Also some acquaintances of people I’ve grown up with – not people who are in my direct circle of friends. I don’t really know anyone who is involved in day to day being a crack dealer but everyone does somewhere down the line. It’s very close to home and that’s the thing about this film – he [Shifty] is just a normal guy. Shifty is a person who is in prison right now. The character is different to the real Shifty. The Shifty in the film is more of a mix between that real person and Eran himself and the character Chris is even more Eran himself.
Danny: Has he [the real Shifty] seen the film?
Riz: I don’t know
Danny: That’d be fascinating…
Riz: – I hope he’s happy with it!
I know what you mean. I don’t actually know any crack-dealers but I reckon Shifty and me could be the best of friends…
Riz: Yeah, that’s the point of it.
Danny: Yeah he doesn’t get high of his own supply. He’s an incredibly bright, intelligent human being. He’s got 6 A-Levels or something ridiculous. He was always the brightest kid in class and I think that’s the thing that shocks Chris to his core is that when he does come back from Manchester and he sees what sort of life he is running and the people he’s mixing with. He’s disappointed and he feels let down but at the same time he probably feels responsible for it as well. He fled because of the girl who died. He’s haunted by that, which is a really interesting thing to play because on the surface of things he seems quite together.
How do you think the film differs from other ones in its genre that it might get compared to? Films like Kidulthood and Adulthood etc…
Riz: I really respect what Noel has done and I think those films have done something very important – they’ve opened up a whole new market. The way in which this film is different is that it’s just got a very different tone. Eran has really allowed the film to breathe so you really get to know the characters. This film is a character study. It’s not like “London geezer” kind of films. It isn’t a film about plastic gangsters – it really focuses on the characters. Its not about crack, its not about violence, its about these people.
Danny: Like we said it was the quality of the script – it had the potential to bring the characters to life. We both realised how much of an opportunity taking on these parts would be. You put the camera there and quite simply watch to actors acting – allowing the characters to breathe and allowing there to have lots of silences.
What was your favourite bit of the film?
Danny: I always like the scene after they’ve been chased by the police and they’re on the bikes. They finally have to open up to each other. I just loved playing that scene because it’s the first time that the two characters properly address the stuff that’s happened in their past.
Riz: I had to smoke so many cigarettes when we were filming that and I didn’t smoke at the time.
Danny: I love it – I think it’s just a beautiful scene.
Riz: I would love that scene more if it didn’t remind me of just smoking. My favourite scene is the one where we have an argument and I’ve been cut – I really enjoyed that scene. The one with Nitin Ganatra was fun as well. He’s like a martial artist. He was like “Just go with it. Leave your hands loose and let me slap you up a bit.” There was actual tension there – like he was going to karate chop me or something!
Danny: That’s an amazing scene I really love that scene.
And Riz, you’re also an emcee as well. How does it compare with acting? Which do you prefer?
Riz: They’re both very different. Acting allows me to become a different person. I’ve always been very restless. With music it’s more like keeping a diary really – you can really talk about what’s going on in your head and what’s inside. Also I really like doing live gigs. They’re very different. They over lap in some ways but if I just did the one I don’t think I’d be very happy.
Danny you’ve been in a number of blockbuster movies how do they compare with working on a film you didn’t even get paid for?
Danny: I’ve had more fun on Shifty than any other film I’ve been involved in because you have that sense of camaraderie between everybody. You feel a lot more involved. I have done big budget films in the past where its so big, there are so many people involved in the process that you can get lost in it all and it doesn’t feel very personal. It’s the most enjoyable experience I’ve had on a film without question.
Shifty is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray in all major retailers.
