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Men Who Sleep in Cars

Drama, entirely in verse, following three men who sleep on the streets of Manchester in their vehicles, having lost all their economic and social power.

'They catch Mancunia's infectious yawn, and this great city holds them in its palm.'

This drama by poet Michael Symmons Roberts follows three men in Manchester during one night in September. Written in verse, the film tells the poignant stories of Marley, Antonio and McCulloch. It is also a love song to a city - to Manchester, the backdrop to the film, whose familiar streets are difficult to leave for the departing Sarah.

Marley, Antonio and McCulloch are men whose lives have turned upside down for very different reasons. They sleep on the streets of Manchester in their vehicles, having lost all their economic and social power. They hide away in disused car parks or in industrial estates, trying to snatch sleep, listening to the radio for company. The commentary from England's first World Cup qualifying fixture, where some of the richest, most powerful men in the world of sport compete on the world stage is a stark contrast to their own situations.

As the film continues, it becomes clear how the how these three came to spend the night in their cars, and how their lives interconnect.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 1 Oct 201721:00

Music Played

  • Frank Sinatra

    Strangers In The Night

Credits

RoleContributor
SarahMaxine Peake
MarleyNick Haverson
AntonioCesare Taurasi
McCullochRob Edwards
ProducerSusan Roberts
DirectorSusan Roberts
Executive ProducerRachel Bell
Director of photographyTim Baxter

Broadcast

Featured in...

Contains Strong Language

Contains Strong Language

The BBC’s new national poetry and spoken word festival