James Ward - Director/Writer
James began his film career as an actor in the BBC Children’s TV production, Station Jim. Surrounded by acting from a young age, he went to study Drama & Theatre at Goldsmiths University, exploring both classical and alternative approaches to directing. Alongside his studies, James drew on his experiences growing up in South London, to shape his strong directing style rooted in authenticity and character-led emotional realism.
The Inspiration
"I grew up less than a mile from Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium in South London. My family has a long heritage in dog and horse handling so, as a result, I’ve always had an interest in greyhound racing. The stadium was a link to the past, a time capsule of British tradition. It was a significant cultural beacon for the local community, drawing people together of all ages and races or the excitement of dog racing. When the shocking news came to me, I had to act. The stadium was to be torn down and concreted over, thus destroying this icon of our historical British culture. I began my journey making a feature film that explored what its destruction meant to me and our community. Could the spirit survive the death of old traditions and institutions, or was it lost forever? Could it live on through the people who breathed and lived it, or would future generations inherit a world without it? A disappearing culture has an effect on people. There is a generation, an underbelly of Londoners, who have fallen through the gaps left without identity, a culture built on moral codes or traditions to nourish and bind them. Suffering from a lack of opportunities, or positive direction, the disillusioned are left to fend for themselves and search for solace elsewhere, frequently turning to drugs, crime or addiction."
Gallery
Snapshots from Pinky's gritty world and film scenes.
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