The “forgotten” 2017 movie that still stings Paddy Considine: “Nobody wants it”
Paddy Considine has said that his 2017 boxing drama *Journeyman* still disappoints him because it received far less festival interest than his acclaimed directorial debut, *Tyrannosaur*. The film was well reviewed and recognised by the British Independent Film Awards, but Considine felt it was overlooked, possibly because festivals regarded it as simply another boxing film; the reaction matters because he has not directed a feature since.
In *Journeyman*, Considine plays ageing boxer Matty Burton, whose life changes after head injuries lead to a dementia diagnosis. *Tyrannosaur* won three awards at Sundance and helped establish Olivia Colman as a dramatic actor, whereas *Journeyman* did not secure comparable festival backing despite its positive reception. Former UFC fighter Michael Bisping said the film influenced his decision to retire, highlighting its portrayal of the risks of repeated head trauma.
- Considine felt *Journeyman* was unfairly overlooked by film festivals.
- The 2017 drama follows a boxer diagnosed with dementia.
- Michael Bisping said it helped persuade him to retire.
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Paddy Considine is a British actor and filmmaker known for roles in film and television, including the drama series House of the Dragon. He made his first feature as a director with Tyrannosaur in 2011, a hard-hitting drama starring Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman that gained major attention at the Sundance Film Festival.
His later film Journeyman follows a successful boxer facing serious health problems after repeated blows to the head. It explores the long-term effects that injuries can have on athletes, including dementia, and the strain this can place on a person and their family.
Film festivals can help independent films gain publicity, distribution deals and awards recognition. Considine’s comments reflect the difference in reception between his two directing projects, and why the experience may have affected his willingness to direct another feature film.