People seem to be making these, and gangster films, without thinking them through

Mark Herman

The movie follows their hilarious and desperate attempts to wheel and deal their way to enough money to buy a season ticket for Newcastle United FC.

The director is Mark Herman - the name behind similar kitchen-sink movies Brassed Off and Little Voice.

Herman, based in York, is the first to admit he took a risk in venturing into a third movie of this kind.

"I was wary about doing the film because I didn't know if it were wise to do another in the same vein," he says.

"There has been a glut of these types of films. More money is washing around for movies in the UK and people seem to be making these, and gangster films, without thinking them through."

Escapism

Purely Belter - which, roughly translated, means absolutely fabulous - is taken from the book Season Ticket by Jonathan Tulloch.

The boys turn to walking the streets collecting things to sell

Herman was sent a copy and says he knew he had to make it into a film.

Gerry and Sewell are from impoverished broken homes.

As their madcap story unfolds, it becomes apparent that their ticket ambition is also a means of escaping their miserable backgrounds.

"It was the combination of comedy and tragedy that I fell for and made the story so compelling. It's a real challenge to get the balance right," explains Herman.

"Football does form the backbone of the story but it is less a film about football than a film about the boys' dream.

"They see the season ticket as their passport to belonging to something and win respect - that's why I changed the title for the film."

Newcomers

Most critics seem to agree that Herman has managed to translate the balance and spirit of the book onto the screen.

They had a special freshness and were by far the most natural - all the other kids had been in Byker Grove

Mark Herman

Many also applaud Herman for a film reminiscent of director Ken Loach - considered the true champion of gritty social realism with added wit and soul.

Herman confesses to being a Loach fan and in particular of his movie Kes - with which Purely Belter has been compared.

Both films owe much of their charm to their young lead actors.

Chris Beattie had dreamed of being in a film

Herman conducted an exhaustive search to find newcomers Chris Beattie - who plays Gerry - and Greg McLane - Sewell.

"They had a special freshness and were by far the most natural.

"All the other kids had been in programmes like Byker Grove.

"But you could tell straight away that they did not have that sort of baggage," explains Herman.

Scams

Ironically, both boys are from Sunderland, rather than Newcastle.

House breaks-in are also on the boys' list

But neither let this put them off going all-out to secure their roles.

"I was so happy when I found out I'd got the part," says 17-year-old McLane.

"I am a great fan of football but I wanted to do the film because the story of Sewell trying to get out of his horrible lifestyle appealed.

"He is as thick as mince and relies on Gerry's brains."

Their various money-making scams include robbing a bank, selling scrap metal, wading for "valuables" in the stinking mud of the Tyne - and asking Newcastle captain Alan Shearer for money.

The two boys seem coolly underwhelmed about meeting Shearer - possibly because Beattie supports Sunderland while McLane is loyal to Arsenal.

But they are full of respect for co-stars Kevin Whately and Roy Hudd.

Reaction

Both play against type. Whately is truant Gerry's unforgiving teacher Mr Caird. Comedian Hudd features as Sewell's tragic, incapable father.

"I was really looking forward to my scenes with Roy Hudd. He's a fantastic actor," says McLane. "I counted the days down to the shoot."

Kevin Whately makes school Hell for Gerry

Ultimately Gerry and Sewell's dreams are threatened by destructive and interfering adults.

The film received a rousing response at the Cannes and Edinburgh festivals and is predicted to do well on general release in the UK.

However, Herman remains downbeat about reaction from the American public, among whom the more uplifting Billy Elliot is enjoying success.

He won't be venturing north of Watford in cinematic terms again for some time.

"I don't want to get categorised as a maker of films about the gritty North," he says.

"The next one will be set in the south - and be very middle-class."

Purely Belter is released in the UK on 3 November.