Experiencing Interruptions?
Password

Mr. Somebody?

Nestled amongst his hoard of papers, photos, and random objects, the “oddest man in Britain” Jake Mangle-Wurzel describes with great lucidity his obsession with never throwing anything away. “A lot of it is humour but a lot of it is philosophical,” he muses. After his wife and daughter left him some forty years ago, he vowed to spend the rest of his days as a professional lunatic. His small Huddersfield cottage became a den for an unfettered, inventive whimsy, featuring an outdoor tub and a “tab end” sculpture made with an especially unusual adhesive (and it’s not what you think). Oscillating wildly from mad to insightful, Mangle-Wurzel carves a inspirational yet lonely figure of boundless imagination. Yorkshire filmmaker Michelle Heighway chronicles the committed eccentric’s highs and lows over a period of five years that includes a council-ordered clean up and a devastating fire. As the film bears witness, their mutual fondness develops into trust and a genuine friendship that extends well beyond the frame.

Sunshine Wong

  • Michelle Heighway
    Writer
    Director
  • Michelle Heighway
    Writer
    Additional Editor
  • Matthew Littlewood
    Writer
    Original Music/Composer
  • Michelle Heighway
    Writer
    Camera Operator
  • Matthew Littlewood
    Writer
    Assistant Camera Operator
  • Michelle Heighway
    Director
  • Michelle Heighway
    Editor
  • Andrew McKee
    Editor
  • John Dinewoodie
    Editor
  • Michelle Heighway
    Camera
  • Lara Agnew
    Executive Producer
  • Michelle Heighway
    Producer
  • Peter Warnock
    Sound Design
  • Jonas Almeida
    Digital Effects
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    drama
  • Runtime:
    59 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    mini dv/vhs/super8
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sheffield Doc Festival 2014

    United Kingdom
    June 12, 2014
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Leeds International Film Festival
    Leeds
    United Kingdom
    November 14, 2015
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • NFTS FILM SCHOOL
Director Biography - Michelle Heighway

About the Director

While driving home from work one day I forgot to take my usual left turn! Unexpectedly I stumbled upon my town’s local  eccentric. His car decorated with a Christmas tree, a toilet and two clay cats made me smile!  Following his car were his two canines;  it was Mangle-Wurzel taking his dogs for a walk! I immediately knew I had to make a film about him, I wanted find out how and why he became this unusual man!

LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Somebody-A-Documentary-Featuring-Jake-Mangle-Wurzel/163805900344249

http://www.mrsomebody.co.uk/

Add Director Biography