Northern Soul

In grim and grungy 1974 Lancashire, restless teenager Elliot James Langridge finds an escape from his dead-end life when he discovers American soul music

In grim and grungy 1974 Lancashire, restless teenager Elliot James Langridge finds an escape from his dead-end life when he discovers American soul music.

However, his volatile friendship with cocky rebel Josh Whitehouse threatens to derail his plans to become a DJ.

Clearly a passion project for photographer-turned-writer-director Elaine Constantine, this coming-of-age drama brilliantly captures the amphetamine-fuelled energy and sweat-soaked passion of northern England's 1970s soul music subculture and, while the story runs along familiar grooves, the music and dancing are electrifying.

Look out for cameos from Steve Coogan as Langridge's patronising teacher, Ricky Tomlinson as his ailing granddad and pop singer Lisa Stansfield as his bitter mum.