Life Just Is (2012)
Pete, Tom, Claire and Jay are university graduates having trouble making the move into adult life. Beneath the hanging out and the daily routines simmers Pete’s desire to find a spiritual answer to life’s meaning, Jay’s desperate need not to get hurt again, and Tom and Claire’s ever increasing mutual attraction.
The film was nominated for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012, where it was also selected for the 'Best of the Fest' screenings and a special 'highlights' series at the Hospital Club in London.
It was released theatrically in the UK in December 2012, screening at a number of cinemas including the ICA, Riverside Studios, Genesis Cinema, and the BFI Southbank where it had a two-week run. A home video release in the UK and Ireland followed, through Independent Distribution, and the film was acclaimed as Mark Kermode's 'DVD of the Week' in both The Observer and on BBC News 24.
It won the 'Jury Award' at the Mexico International Film Festival 2013 and a 'Gold Kahuna Award' at the Honolulu Film Awards 2013. It was also nominated for Best Feature at the Van d'Or Awards 2012. It was released Internationally through FilmDoo.
To find out more about LIFE JUST IS, please visit the film's official website.
What people said about the film...
'One of the most promising debuts in contemporary cinema'
- Brad Stevens, Sight & Sound contributor & author of Abel Ferrara: The Moral Vision
'A truly thoughtful British debut... The young cast shine'
- Tim Robey, Film Critic for The Telegraph
'Writer/director Barrett delivers a promising debut that pitches four
believable characters into the euphoria and dismay of post-uni life'
- David Parkinson, Empire
'Explores the emotionally fraught lives of its young characters with
humour, intelligence and compassion'
- Philip Concannon, Phil on Film
'It's exciting to see a British filmmaker emerge
off the blocks with a style all his own'
- Jamie Dunn, The Skinny
'Existential growing pains, angst & understanding, Alex Barrett's characters walk a
tightrope of emotions into adulthood, along which this brilliantly assured new voice
in British cinema doesn't miss a step'
- Matthew Thrift, Cinephile
'Witty, moving, charming and well-paced'
- James B. Evans. Contributor to Electric Sheep, Little White Lies and Cinema Scope
'Watch it, and you’ll feel like you’ve made some new friends'
- Tom Roberts, Manager Gate Cinema, Notting Hill and writer for Cinetalk