Hoi Polloi Present HUGH HUGHES: HOW I GOT HERE reviews
Review by on 26 Sep 2010
Documentary: sounds like a solemn word. Doesn't have to be, in fact, when the centre of the documentary is a hilarious character from the imagination of a welsh comedian critically acclaimed for his one man shows, it can be fun. With a strong structure based around daffodils (or so they tell us), we hear about the story and life of Mr. Hughes. Cleverly borrowing family, friends and footage of the comedian's actual life to blend fiction and reality into a tasty paste, with added laughs, including a good 15 minutes spent trying to figure out how to start the film used to amusing effect. At an hour long, you'd wish it was longer to get more of this man's awesomeness in, but we're not complaining, we'll savour what we have for now and sincerely hope for more in the future And while you're at it, check out his live shows as well, cause this guy gives you the fuzzy feeling inside with his heartwarming stories of almost insane situations.
Max Thompson
Max Thompson
Review by on 23 Sep 2010
Imagine you are sat on a very fluffy cloud, drifting through the sky. Not only fluffy, this cloud is also joyously happy at just being a cloud, and is delighted by all the odd possibilities that being a cloud can throw up. You enjoy the cloud’s company, and it yours. I would compare “emerging Welsh artist” Hugh Hughes’ film to floating on such a cloud.
The film (“neither a documentary nor a self-portrait”) seeks to explore Hughes’ career as a performer and he sets himself the question “how did I get here?” In the answering he takes us from his Anglesey upbringing, through to his childlike joy at first experiencing the lights of New York.
Hughes has leapt at his first filmmaking venture with an enthusiastic but self-aware abandon, and the project repeatedly benefits from his honesty. “I soon found out I was no Lars Von Trier” he confides, and thankfully so – genital mutilation would hardly sit well with the Hugh Hughes ethos.
There are intimate and warm interviews with his family and friends (though not without a sense of loss, in the case of Hugh’s childhood friend, Gareth), but the conversations between Hugh and his editing adviser (all filmed) stand out. It is during these sequences that cleverly the film becomes about the making of the film itself, whilst providing space for Hughes’ irresistibly goodhearted humour.
Hugh Hughes has made a virtue of his eager amateurism, and the results will please his fans and newcomers to his work equally.
Oliver Ford
The film (“neither a documentary nor a self-portrait”) seeks to explore Hughes’ career as a performer and he sets himself the question “how did I get here?” In the answering he takes us from his Anglesey upbringing, through to his childlike joy at first experiencing the lights of New York.
Hughes has leapt at his first filmmaking venture with an enthusiastic but self-aware abandon, and the project repeatedly benefits from his honesty. “I soon found out I was no Lars Von Trier” he confides, and thankfully so – genital mutilation would hardly sit well with the Hugh Hughes ethos.
There are intimate and warm interviews with his family and friends (though not without a sense of loss, in the case of Hugh’s childhood friend, Gareth), but the conversations between Hugh and his editing adviser (all filmed) stand out. It is during these sequences that cleverly the film becomes about the making of the film itself, whilst providing space for Hughes’ irresistibly goodhearted humour.
Hugh Hughes has made a virtue of his eager amateurism, and the results will please his fans and newcomers to his work equally.
Oliver Ford
Review by on 19 Sep 2010
A totally charming happy-making film! Thanks Hugh! great to see you again!
Film details
Hoi Polloi Present HUGH HUGHES: HOW I GOT HERE
DOCUMENTARIES
Director: Hugh Hughes
United Kingdom, 2010.
75 mins.
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