Plan B on 'iLL Manors' film: 'I'm not glorifying gang violence'
Published May 5 2012, 21:23 BST | By Emma Dibdin
Plan B has spoken about his upcoming debut feature iLL Manors.The rapper, who directs under his real name Ben Drew, suggests that the film paints a realistic and grim portrait of gang culture in London.
"I'm not trying to glorify [gang members]," Drew told The Evening Standard.
"This film says, 'This is the reality of it'. It's not a fairytale, you're not going to go on some f**ked-up adventure and come out the other end. It's not glamorous, it's not romantic, it's f**king dark and disgusting."
The film stars Riz Ahmed, Nathalie Press and Dannielle Brent alongside a cast of first-time actors from the Forest Gate area of London, where Drew grew up.
Six interlinking short stories make up the film's narrative, each one represented by a different rap song which offers commentary on the characters' lives and actions.
He went on: "People hopefully will get some understanding by watching it and see that there is a reason behind every despicable crime that happens.
"It's not just some mindless thug taking their anger out on someone. It usually stems from some really deep-seated, f**ked-up places."
Critics have already described the film as harrowing and "frequently horrific".
The soundtrack foriLL Manors, featuring Drew's single of the same name, will be released on June 25.
Drew recently suggested that he wants to "destroy the music industry machine".
Watch Drew's interview with Digital Spy about the Ill Manors shoot below:
The film seems to glorify violence even the posters and the images shown depict a very strong sense of a murderous plot which we do not need. We have had enough of this. Too many teenagers are killing each other over nothing. Next time Ben, please make a positive production.
May 18th 2012 at 11:34pm
It won't scratch the surface as to why people are in violent gangs, all it will show is selfish wannabe's with god like complexes wanting adoration from the street, and people who watch it and say wow plan b is the nuts he brought it, this is how it is. Who the **** cares am fed up of london gang films or any gang films, I'm fed up of absolute arrogance and disrespect of London youth, don't give them a voice. I remember my parents saying kids should be seen and not heard now as I grow up I realise why!
May 7th 2012 at 1:31am
he may not want to glorify it but the real gangs will glorify the film.
May 6th 2012 at 1:27pm
love plan b people will always complain.
May 6th 2012 at 1:24pm
Wow another british guns & gangster flick, minus the intelligent scripting as usual.
May 6th 2012 at 9:45am