Susie Jewell - Swansea
Definitely the funniest and most bizarre film I've seen in years and years. This complex, hilarious and fiercely intelligent story begins with slow rhythmic dialogue, mad camera angles and a quite surreal sense of deja-vue. Whilst it initially cons you into thinking you're watching a cross between an art movie and a Monty Python sketch, the levels, references and jokes grow into a new and original film genre. This spans from lampoon type slapstick to really subtle and clever wit.
The film asks why we can't have cheap, safe and widely recognised medicine instead of expensive drugs that are loaded with side effects. It would be impossible to patent wild yam so there would be no huge profit for the pharmaceutical industry. It made me spit with laughter. As Ms Gardener is a keen observer of both people and the way in which the media represents them, she manages to make an important political/economical and social point whilst being thoroughly entertaining.
I want much more of this.
Judith Connor - Bristol
As an old-style feminist who believes now, more than ever, that women do best when taking charge of our own bodies and keeping doctors at bay, this film was IT! It made me laugh, and shout approval, and feel eternally vindicated!
Pamela is going through the menopause. Her GP offers the usual "fixes", which she wisely decides not to take. On the advice of another woman on the allotment, Pamela takes a more radical, and effective, remedy - which gets her into trouble with her partner and the law!
A must for all women, especially those with the menopause still to come.
PS My friend tried it, and it worked! .
Samantha Mason - Bristol
Yam is the new black.
Teejae Raven Frear - York
I watched your film the other night with a friend and we both thought it was fantastic and know loads of others who'll enjoy it just as much. It's sorted out a good chunk of my christmas list and I'm encouraging friends to buy it for their friends.
David Mitchell - Brace Yourselves Productions
A wonderful film and the visual score is beautiful - congratulations.
David Bridel - Hollywood Director and Professor
An amazing achievement.
Allan Sutherland - Disability Now
Yam is a funny little Ealing-style comedy about a woman who starts growing yams as a natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy, and finds things getting more than a little out of hand. It's a self-assured low budget feature by disabled writer and producer Angel Garden.
Paul Newman - Editor of iCreate
[Yam is] very impressive indeed and very well acted. I hope it does really well for you both, it certainly deserves to.
Save Our Supplements
A comedy about vegetables, the menopause and the absurdity of the legal system: a timely parable for our nanny state.
Picture This...
"Very funny."
"Enjoyable."
"Overall great."
"Funny, creative content."
"Good writing."
"Good sense of humour."
"Intriguing."
"This deals with a problem many women deal with...YAM - a funny stretch."
"Creative approach to drug problems."
"Good use of music in opening & mood getting."
"Very good use of natural lighting."
"Sounds like home!"
Video Island
'What do we want? Yam - When do we want it? Now!'
When a housewife reaches what in veiled terminology is described as 'the change' (AKA the menopause, just don't say it too loud), her doctor prescribes HRT tablets. Not wanting to take them, she goes in search of an alternative. Her Jamaican friend recommends she tries yam, a vegetable rather like a potato, and known for its medicinal benefits. Our dear housewife starts planting yam in her loft (UK temperatures not particularly suited to garden growing), with a process also used to cultivate cannabis.
But soon a large clientele has developed, all wanting a sample of her new 'drug.' And that's where all sorts of problems start.
Selected to close London's 6th Disability Film Festival, Yam is an entertaining and original movie. Shot on DVCAM and to a small budget (UK film financing being notoriously difficult to secure), writer/director/producer Angel Garden offers a look at a woman unafraid to stand her ground and try new avenues - a film about strength, self-discovery and independence, cleverly coated in an amusing storyline.
And one thing's for sure, you'll certainly never look at a humble, common or garden root vegetable in the same way ever again.
Yam Talk
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