Watch Mark Steel: Mark Steel's In Town

Mark Steel: Mark Steel's In Town is a British comedy documentary film that first premiered on BBC Radio 4 in 2009. The film follows comedian Mark Steel on a mission to discover what makes each town in the UK unique. The concept of the film is unique and captivating. Mark Steel ventures out of his comfort zone and visits different towns, big and small, across the UK to uncover the hidden stories behind each. To prepare for each town, Mark Steel spends a few weeks researching and learning about the local history, culture, demographics, and individual quirks. He even reaches out to the locals through social media, inviting them to share their stories, opinions, and jokes with him.

Once he arrives in each town, Mark Steel takes a stroll through the streets, parks, and landmarks, and wonders around like a curious traveler. Along the way, he meets and chats with the townspeople, engaging them in witty banter, and trying to understand how they perceive their town. The conversations can be hilarious, philosophical, and insightful, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the human experience.

The film's format switches between Mark Steel's monologues, interviews with the locals, comedy sketches, and footage of his travels. The production values are modest but effective, conveying an air of spontaneity and authenticity. The camera captures the beauty and mundanity of each town, from the majestic architecture to the mundane bus stops.

One of the film's strengths is Mark Steel's personality, humor, and intelligence. He is a natural storyteller, who can transform ordinary facts into interesting stories and memorable punchlines. His humor is ironic, self-deprecating, and playful, chastising the absurdities of modern life without losing hope or kindness. His intelligence comes through his ability to connect the dots between the local and the universal, connecting the issues and controversies that affect each town to broader issues of national and global importance.

The film's themes cover a wide range of topics, from politics, economics, and social inequality to religion, gender, and sexuality. Mark Steel is not afraid to touch on controversial issues and to challenge mainstream opinions. He is also sensitive to the local nuances and contradictions that make each town unique. Thus, he can move from a serious discussion on local council services to a hilarious tribute to the town's bizarre statue.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film is the way it portrays the diversity of British society. By visiting towns from all over the UK, Mark Steel encounters people from different ethnicities, religions, and cultures. He also acknowledges the class divide, as many towns are struggling with poverty, unemployment, and austerity. Yet, he finds hope and resilience in the people who are trying to make their towns a better place, whether through community activism, entrepreneurship, or arts.

In conclusion, Mark Steel: Mark Steel's In Town is an excellent comedy documentary film that showcases the talent, humor, and intelligence of one of the UK's funniest comedians. It takes a unique approach to exploring the hidden stories and characters of the British towns, capturing the diversity and complexity of British society. If you are looking for a film that can entertain, enlighten, and make you laugh, look no further than Mark Steel: Mark Steel's In Town.

Mark Steel: Mark Steel's In Town is a 2019 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes.