Lean on Pete (2017)

Adapted from Willy Vlautin’s third novel, “Lean on Pete” has been described by the Guardian’s Mark Kermode as blending “timeless American myths with pin-point portrayals of modern urban hardship”. British filmmaker Andrew Haigh (45 Years, All Of Us Strangers) writes and directs this coming-of-age story with “an unsentimental tenderness” that provides “a melancholic counterpoint to the grim realities of life from which our young hero flees”.

Selected by Siobhan Pollitt, Chief Executive of Back on Track, the film’s themes reflect the experiences of some of the people that the Manchester charity supports. Siobhan will introduce the film and will be joined for the post-screening Q&A by Anton Roberts from Manchester Metropolitan’s Policy Evaluation and Research Unit.

Back on Track work with people who face multiple disadvantage. This can include experience of homelessness, problematic drug and alcohol use, mental health problems and contact with the criminal justice system. Donations mean that the charity can reach more people at a time when their services are needed. Find out how to support Back on Track by clicking here.

The Manchester International Crime and Justice Film Festival 2024

This screening forms part of this year’s international film festival, sponsored by the Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University and curated by staff from the university’s Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU)

Since 2019 we’ve had a consistent mission – screening great films which provoke debate and provide an alternative take on crime, justice and punishment in the 21st century.

CLICK HERE for details of the other film screenings and events in our programme.

Where are we hosting this event?

We are hosting this event in GF:11 at East Grosvenor Building, Cavendish Street, Manchester M15 6BG (opposite the Footage). A five minutes’ walk from Oxford Rd Station.

See you at the movies!

Your festival team:

Kevin Wong, Gavin Bailey, Anton Roberts, Katie Hunter and Phil Edwards