Adam
Film
Co-Director with Louise Lockwood
Written by Frances Poet
starring Adam Kashmiry
If you are born in a country where being yourself can get you killed, exile is your only choice.
★★★★★
"An unforgettable thunderbolt of feeling"
- The Telegraph
Adam is the remarkable, true story of a young trans man having to make that choice and begin his journey. From Egypt to Scotland, it charts Adam’s fight across borders and genders to find a place to call home.
After the huge success of Adam as a stage production, there was interest from BBC Scotland and BBC 4 to adapt it into an hour-long film drama.
This was to be something of an experiment in hybrid form. So Frances completely re-wrote the script with a TV audience in mind. Less of the direct address to camera – more of a naturalistic approach. Where we had used only two actors, Adam and one actress, to convey every character in the stage version, we now had a full cast to play with.
BAFTA Scotland
Best Television Scripted
★★★★★
"An extraordinary story"
- The List
★★★★★
"An powerful story of transcendence"
- The Herald
★★★★★
"Playful rather than preachy, Adam is both a success in terms of experimental theatrical form and affective , non-manipulative storytelling’ The National"
- The National
★★★★★
"Engaging, digital, current and important"
- The Sunday Post
★★★★★
"A wonderful story, one which expands our understanding of what it is to be human"
- Scotsgay
★★★★
"High-energy and often spectacular theatre.’
- The Scotsman
Like the stage version, the film stars Adam Kashmiry and Yashmin Al-Khudahairi backed by a very strong supporting cast. Directed by myself and Louise Lockwood, with Carlo D’Alessandro’s beautiful Cinematography, and Emily James’ innovative adapted design.
It played as part of the BBC Arts Lights Up for New Culture in Quarantine season but also featured in many International Film festivals and garnered various audience awards along the way.
When it premiered online, we were still in lockdown and I remember a slightly surreal experience of sitting on zoom with Adam and our team, but also various virtual choir members around the world joining the ‘opening night’…some were just returning from night shifts in their respective time zones. It was a very beautiful moment to share. Most of them had never been able to view the story which they had contributed to.
Trailer
From Stage to Screen
Cast
Adam Kashmiry
Yashmin Al-Khudahairi
Stephen McCole
Myriam Acharki
Rehanna MacDonald
Neshla Caplan
Haqi Ali
Hamish Wyllie
Adam World Choir
Creative Team
Writer Frances Poet
Director Cora Bissett
Director Louise Lockwood
Production Designer Emily James
Director of Photography Carlo D'Allesandro
Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell
1st Assistant Director Emma Sharkey
Sound Designer Garry Boyle
Composer Jocelyn Pook
Editor Benny McGurk
Associate Movement Director Jade Adamson
Casting Director Laura Donnelly CDG
Produced by National Theatre of Scotland and Hopscotch Films. Commissioned by BBC Scotland and BBC Arts.