“During
the German occupation of the
Channel Islands in the Second World
War, a Jersey widow is asked to take
in a young Russian prisoner of war
who has escaped the cruel regime of
the Nazis; risking not only her own life
but also the lives of her family in order
to protect Another Mother’s Son...”
WITH THE CHANNEL ISLANDS UNDER BRUTAL GERMAN RULE and the Islanders understandably
believing that Churchill has forgotten them, it is a testing time for St Ouen,
Jersey, shopkeeper Louisa Gould (sensitively portrayed by Jenny Seagrove: Local
Hero; Oscar-winning A Shocking Accident; A Woman of Substance;
Judge John Deed) in the true story of World War II heroism, Another
Mother's Son.
Louisa's two sons, Ralph and Edward, are away fighting alongside British mainlanders
and she hears the tragic news that Edward has been killed in action. Food is
rationed, so supplies to her shop are scarce; the Germans have strictly enforced
rules and curfews and there is no sign of a British rescue mission.
“Another
Mother’s Son
is an engrossing
and emotive
period drama that
reflects perfectly
British stoicism
and the way of life
during the
war years...”
The
only British territory taken by the Nazis, the Channel Islands is a land in
waiting for Winston Churchill to free them. Every Englishman not born on the
islands is rounded up and taken away and prisoners of war are brought over to
work without mercy from their German captors.
Louisa is close to her brother, Harold Le Druillenec (Boyzone's singer-songwriter
Ronan Keating), and her sister Ivy (Amanda Abbington: Sherlock; Mr
Selfridge), who is married to Post Office worker Arthur Forster (John Hannah:
The Mummy film franchise; Four Weddings and a Funeral; television's
Damages; Spartacus), with a young son, Rex (Brenock O'Connor).
Also close to the family is Elena Le Fevre (Emmy Award-winner Susan Hampshire:
television's Monarch of the Glen; The Forsyte Saga).
Seeing firsthand the cruelty of the Nazis to their Russian prisoners of war,
Louisa — still grief-stricken from losing her son — wants to help
them, but her efforts of kindness are rewarded by anger from their guards. When
she is asked by a local farmer if she will take and care for a young Russian,
Feodor Polycarpovich Burryi (the film introduces the notable Julian Kostov)
who has escaped, her first thought is of her own son and a mother in Russia
desperate to hear, as she is, that her son is safe. She agrees, but it is not
only the Germans watching every move.
Although the young Germans can find willing Jersey women — known as "Jerry
bags" — to fraternise with, other islanders sometimes inform on their neighbours
in return for medicine and food. If Louisa and her family are caught harbouring
a prisoner, the most unimaginable and shocking fate awaits…
Based on the true story of a brave, kind and generous Jersey widow and highlighting
the true heroism of the Channel Islanders during the terrifying Nazi occupation,
Another Mother's Son is an engrossing and emotive period drama that reflects
perfectly British stoicism and the way of life during the war years. Superb.
Another Mother's Son also features: Nicholas Farrell (Chariots of Fire)
as Brian De La Haye; Peter Wright (Another Year; Babel) as Rene;
Joanna David as Maude; Andy Gathergood as Mattie; Sophie Skelton as Jess; Félicité
Du Jeu as Nicole; and Izzy Meikle-Small as Annie.
Music is by Mario Grigorov; Cinematography by Sam Care; Costume Designer is
Charlotte Mitchell; Writer is Jenny Lecoat; Producer is Bill Kenwright; and
Director is Christopher Menaul. Bill Kenwright Films are also responsible for:
Cheri (Stephen Frears) and Broken (Rufus Norris), which won the
Best British Independent Movie at the BIFAS in 2013.
Based on real events in Nazi-occupied Jersey, Another Mother's Son is
released by Signature Entertainment on DVD and Digital in the UK, on 17 July
2017. Certificate: 12 | Running Time: 103 Minutes. DVD Extras: Featurette |
Interviews.
"Another Mother's Son is an engrossing and emotive period drama that
reflects perfectly British stoicism and the way of life during the war years"
****
— Maggie Woods, MotorBar
"****"
— Total Film
"****"
— Daily Mail
"****"
— OK!
LOUISA GOULD and her brother and sister were among the first recipients of
Her Majesty's British Hero of the Holocaust Awards in March 2010.
“During
the German occupation of the