The book
The book
Please click the image to buy the book
All royalties go to The Ellie Soutter Foundation until May 31, 2019
The idea on which A Friend in Need is based, came to me in a basement bar in December 1986. I’d like to thank the manufacturers of Grolsch lager for their part in the origins of this story. My boss suddenly realised that he was going to be late home and I suggested an unusual excuse that might spare him the full wrath of his spouse.
I’ll not repeat it here as it sits at the heart of the story that I hope you will read or see on film, or both.
I’ll not repeat it here as it sits at the heart of the story that I hope you will read or see on film, or both.
Back in 2015, I was sitting in a Bangkok bar with expat writers Kevin Cummings and James Newman and the subject turned to excuses. I told them about my moment of inspiration from nearly thirty years before and one of them, I genuinely don’t recall who, suggested that I write a short story using it as a theme.
The story was first published later that year. In 2017 another of my stories became an award-winning short film and I was eager to make another movie.
In June this year we completed filming with the first screening on November 29, 2018 at the Genesis Cinema in London’s Mile End Road.
My original screenplay was based on the story as written back in 2015. Working with director Matt Lovett and our incredible cast and crew, the story moved on substantially. I hope you will consider buying the book. It contains the narrative story, a few words from me about how a lager-fuelled idea from 1986 made its way onto the screen and a copy of the screenplay. Movie buffs might find it interesting to see just how different a script is from the underlying story.
The story was first published later that year. In 2017 another of my stories became an award-winning short film and I was eager to make another movie.
In June this year we completed filming with the first screening on November 29, 2018 at the Genesis Cinema in London’s Mile End Road.
My original screenplay was based on the story as written back in 2015. Working with director Matt Lovett and our incredible cast and crew, the story moved on substantially. I hope you will consider buying the book. It contains the narrative story, a few words from me about how a lager-fuelled idea from 1986 made its way onto the screen and a copy of the screenplay. Movie buffs might find it interesting to see just how different a script is from the underlying story.
All royalties will go to The Ellie Soutter Foundation - a charitable trust set up to help disadvantaged people who might struggle with the pressures of competitive winter sport.
Matt Carrell