After nearly 30 years, British writer and director Mike Leigh has reunited with actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste for his new drama and comedy film Hard Truths. Set in the UK, it's centred around Pansy, a depressed, anxious and angry woman who lives with her quiet husband and son. Her short temper sees her criticising everyone she meets and doesn't like going outside, animals or flowers. It's a complete contrast to her sister Chantelle, joyful single hairdresser who has a great relationship with her two adult daughters. Pansy is played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste who first worked with Leigh almost 30 years ago for the 1996 film Secrets and Lies. For her breakout role as an optometrist looking for her biological mother, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs. Mike Leigh speaks to Culture 101's Perlina Lau about coming together again to collaborate with an old friend and colleague nearly three decades on.
12:32 pm today
