Catch Me Daddy

Thursday 16^th October, 6.30pm – Vue West End

Friday 17^th October, 9pm – Vue Islington

Sunday 19^th October, 8.45pm – Vue West End

The most disconcerting and moving aspect of Catch Me Daddy is its title. The double entendre alludes to the protective and light-hearted fun typically had by father and daughter; it paints a picture of the ultimate trust exercise of throwing one’s child in the air with them having complete faith that they will be caught. A child is supposed to feel protected and safe in the hands of their parent, and this is especially present in a typical father-daughter relationship, at the risk of sounding slightly archaic. However, the other side of this title is literal to the story itself, that of the brutal, possessive father figure who sends murderers and thugs after his daughter in order to “catch” her and bring her back to him when she runs away. The desperation of her circumstance is shown in Laila’s (Sameena Jabeen Ahmed) undoubtable and convincing hysterics. Her character embodies truth and vulnerability, which highlights this comparison between the expected and the reality of her experience of family.  

This film does not focus on the struggle for independence for the female lead, as her protective figure is replaced by a boyfriend. She is only able to sob and plead with her father, a final frantic attempt to remind him that she is his little girl, his “chum chum” and hope that this will save her. It is this which allows the tension to become so impressive, in keeping the shock-factor images scarce and accentuating the Englishness of the actors.

The characters are imperfect, masterfully acted in their mannerisms and their rough, colloquial British accents so they seem harmless. It is this that makes the thugs so terrifying and dangerous. Everything about this film creates a perfect British thriller, evoking fear in every citizen or visitor: its setting in the rural, with very little opportunity to travel and escape, chase scenes across the moors in blackness. Its imperfections and realism, and its domestic violence, which brings the barbarity right to our doorstep, or our kebab van. 

Cassia Morrice

Catch Me Daddy release date is yet to be announced.

For further information about the BFI London Film Festival visit here.

Read more reviews from the festival here.