'Still Pushing Pineapples'

Source: Tull stories

‘Still Pushing Pineapples’

EXCLUSIVE: Kim Hopkins’ new feature documentary Still Pushing Pineapples has been picked up for UK and Irish distribution by Tull Stories following its premiere opening Sheffield DocFest earlier this summer. 

The film, sold by MetFilm Sales, will be released in cinemas by Tull Stories in association with Labor of Love Films, the production company Hopkins runs with producer Margareta Szabo, on November 28.

Still Pushing Pineapples tells the poignant story of former novelty band Black Lace star Dene Michael, famous for singing ‘Agadoo’ — the 1980s party hit once crowned the “worst song of all time”. Dene would often dress up as a giant piece of fruit to perform the famous song.

Now in his 60s, he is reduced to performing to dwindling audiences in Britain’s fading clubs – but can always rely on his fiercest supporter, 89-year-old mum, Anne.

Hopkins describes her documentary as “an ode to resilience, but also to joy, humour and to the spirit of ordinary working-class people in a declining Britain”.

In the film, Dene and his girlfriend Hayley take his mother on an epic journey by van back to Benidorm in Spain where he used to perform regularly and where they had spent some of their happiest times.

“This is a remarkable movie with heart, grit and laughs. Dene’s story is one of determination in the face of time marching on and the adversity he has faced. This is a film that has been crafted with care by Kim, and we can’t wait to get started,” Jonny Tull, of Tull Stories commented of the acquisition.

The director’s previous feature, A Bunch Of Amateurs, won the audience award at Sheffield Doc Fest 2022. This was a tribute to the characters behind Bradford Movie Makers, one of the oldest amateur film clubs in the UK.

A Bunch Of Amateurs and Still Pushing Pineapples are part of a trilogy on northern working-class cultural life. Hopkins is already working on the third feature, The Local, which is focused on life in a real ale pub in Bradford, The Jacobs Well.

Still Pushing Pineapples was produced through Labor of Love Films in association with Tigerlily Two and One Wave Films. Szabo is the producer alongside coproducer Nan Davies. The executive producers are Nikki Parrott, Luke W. Moody, Mark Thomas, Dani Carlaw, Kiah Simpson, Kim Warner, Caroline Cooper Charles and Herbert Lockwood.

The film received Screen Scotland support as well as backing from BFI Doc Society Fund, Screen Yorkshire and Ffilm Cymru Wales.

Topics