A Way Of Life

Controversial British drama, directed by Amma Asante. The narrative starts with a brutal attack by a group of teenagers on a middle-aged man, and then goes back to fill in the events leading up to the assault. It follows teenaged mother Leigh-Anne (Stephanie James), living in poverty, trying to raise her daughter while clashing with her grandmother (Brenda Blethyn), and eventually turning to prostitution for money.

Leigh-Anne doesn't sell herself, but starts pimping her young friends instead, as well as committing petty crimes with her brothers for extra money. At the same time she is jealous of her Muslim neighbour's relationship with his daughter, and becomes convinced that he is trying to get her taken away by social services. When her daughter is accidentally burned by a candle while Leigh-Anne is out, events move rapidly towards the scene that opens the film.