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The Van (Original title)
Dates: 1996 (Copyright), 29 November 1996 (Release)

Countries: Ireland, USA, United Kingdom

Director: Stephen Frears

Synopsis: In Barrytown, in the suburbs of north Dublin, Bimbo, a baker who has recently been made redundant and his unemployed friend Larry decide to start a fast food business from a dilapidated van. They begin the arduous process of cleaning the van and learning to make battered fish, chips and burgers with the aim of launching their business in time for the football World Cup in June 1990. The business flourishes, but their friendship deteriorates, with Bimbo feeling that Larry doesn’t take the work seriously enough and Larry resenting Bimbo’s wife Maggie’s interference in the business.

Genre:
Comedy

Subjects:
Fast food, Small businesses, Unemployment, Friendships, Family life, World Cup 1990
Releases
Date: 29 November 1996Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - Sound - DolbyAspect ratio: 1.85:1Runtime: 99 mins 41 secs - Length: 8971 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: 20th Century Fox International (UK)
Date: 29 November 1996Country: IrelandRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Technicolor - Sound - DolbyAspect ratio: 1.85:1Runtime: 99 mins Dialogue (original): English

Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (15)
In: Sight and Sound v16 n11 November 2006  Page: 6
Title: The numbers: The royal mintAuthor: GANT, Charles Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: A brief analysis of the UK box-office performance of The QUE EN on its first week. Table shows gross takings of Stephen F rears' films at the UK box-office sine 1988.

In: Film Ireland n55 Oct/Nov 1996  Page: 34
Title: [Film Ireland - n55 Oct/Nov 1996: no known title]Author: FLYNN, Bob Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Positif n427 September 1996  Pages: 42-43
Title: Les filmsAuthor: VIVIANI, Christian Article type: ReviewLanguage: French

In: 24 Images n83/84 Autumn 1996  Page: 47
Title: [24 Images - n83/84 Autumn 1996: no known title]Author: MARSOLAIS, Gilles Article type: ReviewLanguage: French
Description: Reviewed at the 1996-49th Cannes International Film Festival

In: Screen International n1059 24 May 1996  Page: 20
Title: ReviewsAuthor: JOHNSTON, Sheila Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Moving Pictures International n18 May 1996  Pages: 19-26
Title: Hot on the croisetteArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: List of films chosen by Moving Pictures correspondents which present alternatives to the high profile products.

In: Sight and Sound v6 n12 December 1996  Page: 56
Title: reviewsAuthor: FELPERIN, Leslie Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Empire n90 December 1996  Page: 38
Title: new filmsAuthor: ERRIGO, Angie Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Empire n90 December 1996  Page: 148
Title: books...producing the goodsAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Roddy Doyle talks about his role as co-producer on The VAN (1996).

In: Variety 20 May 1996  Page: 36
Title: [Variety - 20 May 1996: no known title]Author: STRATTON, David Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Moving Pictures International n12 October 1995  Page: 46
Title: New Irish reelsAuthor: MAURER, Monika Article type: Prod. ReportLanguage: English

In: Screen International n1007 12 May 1995  Page: 2
Title: In shortArticle type: NoteLanguage: English

In: Film Ireland n48 Aug/Sep 1995  Page: 6
Title: Production NewsArticle type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: THE VAN has gone into production, and is not availing of section 35 tax incentives.

In: Variety 5 Jun 1995  Page: 18
Title: [Variety - 5 Jun 1995: no known title]Article type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: English
Description: further credits

In: Film Ireland n44 December 1994  Page: 5
Title: Production for 1995Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Very brief production note.