A Royal Hangover
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A Royal Hangover is a 2014 documentary film directed by Arthur Cauty that explores alcoholism in Britain, examining why the country faces such severe problems relating to alcohol and the taboo issues relating to it.[1][2]
Development
Cauty originally got the idea for the film when visiting the USA in 2012, and seeing how different the attitude to alcohol there was to that in the UK. On one night of filming, Cauty was attacked by around four or five people but he continued filming. Law enforcement would also occasionally interrupt filming. The involvement of Russell Brand helped the film to become more widely noticed. Other interviewees included Government Drugs Advisor Professor David Nutt, BBC TV and Radio personality Dr Sarah Jarvis, and leading British charities Alcohol Concern, Alcohol Research and Druglink.[1]
Brand came onboard after parts of the film were shot at the rehabilitation centre Focus 12, which Brand attended. Other filming locations included London, Liverpool, Bristol, Wales, Devon, Los Angeles and Paris[3]
Total development on the film lasted around one and a half years. Cauty himself is a non-drinker but is fascinated by drinking culture, particularly, by the huge role that it plays in British society, which motivated him to make the film. A Royal Hangover is his feature debut.[4] He hopes that after watching the film people will "see alcohol as a drug not as just a beverage or a form of entertainment".[5]
Research for the film began in November 2012 and filming began in April 2013.[6]
A trailer for the film was released on 15 September 2014.[7]
Release
The film premiered on 12 October 2014 at the Sunscreen Film Festival in Los Angeles. Other screenings occurred at the Reel Recovery Film Festival in Florida, the Cleveland International Film Festival in Ohio and the Piccadilly Cinema in Australia.[8]
It has been released on iTunes.[9]
Critical reception
A Royal Hangover received positive reviews from critics. The Huffington Post said "if you understand alcohol abuse, or want to understand. Then give it a go...Because it really is the only documentary on drinking worth watching."[10] Recovery Rocks said "A Royal Hangover is a film that is long over due. With wit and insight it creates an alarming and frank portrait of Britain's binge drinking problem".[11]
References
- ^ a b Gelmini, Davidde. "Russell Brand in 'A Royal Hangover' Documentary". The London Film Review.
- ^ "A Royal Hangover - A Feature Documentary on the Ambivalent Alcohol Culture of Britain". aroyalhangover.com.
- ^ "Image: A Royal Hangover_Herald Express Article.jpg, (1100 × 770 px)". aroyalhangover.com. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ "An interview with Arthur Cauty maker of 'A Royal Hangover' - Veronica Valli". Veronica Valli.
- ^ "A Royal Hangover: Interview with Writer/Director Arthur Cauty". Rehab Reviews.
- ^ "Image: A Royal Hangover_Western Morning News.jpg, (1400 × 948 px)". aroyalhangover.com. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ A Royal Hangover: Official Documentary Trailer ft. Russell Brand - A Film by Arthur Cauty (2014). YouTube. 15 September 2014.
- ^ "A Royal Hangover - A Feature Documentary on the Ambivalent Alcohol Culture of Britain". aroyalhangover.com.
- ^ "iTunes - Films - A Royal Hangover". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ "A Royal Hangover - The Documentary About Drinking That's Actually Worth a Watch". The Huffington Post UK.
- ^ "A Royal Hangover - Review - Veronica Valli". Veronica Valli.
