DIRECTORS
MARK BURNHAM and SEAN RENWICK have been close since the age of 9…
We grew up together.
And yet, it was not really until February of 2023 that we first opened up to each other emotionally. We were completely unaware of some of the difficulties the other had gone through over time, be it anxiety attacks, self-harm, or otherwise. Truthfully, we have told nearly nobody about issues, even if we find that plenty of people in our lives would be very supportive. Neither of us can pin down why we felt we should not talk to people but for whatever reason, we did not. We hope that we can pick apart the issues with male friendships - both with one another and with others in our lives - through this film; masking the subject matter in the comedy and drama of Brits facing deportation from the United States (an unfortunate situation both of us are battling to avoid in the coming months).
In the UK, "November" is typically celebrated as the month in which all male health issues are in the public eye. For all the good that may come out of November campaigns - such as "Movember" - to address holistic male health issues, we do not want mental health to be viewed "seasonally". Health issues can occur at any time for whatever reason, or even without necessary reason. Mental health is not something to be taken lightly or ignored for the remaining eleven months of the year.
The end goal of this film is to help those who may be privately battling emotional difficulties. The best thing you can do in the spirit of Pocket Money is check up on your loved ones, be kind and be there for them. If anyone chooses to do this thanks to this project or its campaign, we will consider Pocket Money an incredible success.
