52 Films by Women Vol 6. 35. THE NAN MOVIE (Directors: Josie Rourke, A N Other)
Unlikely to travel far outside of English-speaking countries – a bit like Brexit, really – The Nan Movie is notable for the absence of a director’s credit. That doesn’t mean it was rudderless; it started production with Josie Rourke ( Mary, Queen of Scots ) at the helm. During production, Rourke and co-writer-star Catherine Tate had a bit of argy-bargy as they say in South London to the extent that Rourke is only listed as executive producer and the co-writer of two songs. A credit reading ‘A Catherine Tate Film’ confirms that creative differences were not overcome. The Nan Movie is a spin-off from The Catherine Tate Show (2004-9), that featured the titular actress in a series of sketches featuring recurring characters like Lauren the Essex schoolgirl who makes inappropriate suggestions (catchphrase: ‘am I bothered?’) and Joannie Taylor, aka Nan, the foul-mouthed East London grandmother who makes inappropriate comments. Tate’s characters are keenly observed stereotype...