‘Still Pushing Pineapples’ to Open Sheffield DocFest

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that come June 18, 2025, Kim Hopkins’ “Still Pushing Pineapples” will gracefully debut as the opening film at the Sheffield DocFest! It’s truly exciting news, especially considering that in 2022, this talented filmmaker took home the Audience Award for “A Bunch of Amateurs” at the same festival. I can hardly wait to see what magic Hopkins weaves next on the big screen!

Still Pushing Pineapples presents a poignant yet affectionate portrayal of Dene Michael, once the lead singer of Black Lace, known for their hit ‘Agadoo.’ This film chronicles his adventure on the road with his elderly mother and companion, as he pursues a musical comeback. Director, producer, and cinematographer Kim Hopkins guides us through the world of entertainment, working-class culture, human relationships, the influence of pop music, and contemporary Britain in this humorous, unconventional road trip movie.

As a DocFest enthusiast, I’m thrilled to express that starting this year’s festival with “Still Pushing Pineapples” is a testament to what we cherish at DocFest. This film, masterfully crafted by Kim Hopkins, offers an intimate and poignant portrayal of working-class life in Yorkshire, a region close to my heart. The compassionate lens through which Kim captures Dean’s story, especially the profound bond between mother and son, encapsulates the epitome of exceptional British documentary filmmaking. Kim, along with her dedicated female crew, has bravely taken creative risks, and the outcome is nothing short of extraordinary.

Hopkins stated, “The movie delves deeply into questions of happiness, endurance, and the callousness of a nation abandoning its people, all while honoring those who press on despite hardships. It’s intriguing to ponder if Dene might have had dreams about transforming into a giant pineapple, given that the strange fruit accompanying him in dance could have both nourished and consumed him.

She found: “Over the span of four decades in an industry that required him to smile 45,000 times, Dene – now transformed into a pineapple – never relinquished his humanity, compassion, and optimism. Still Pushing Pineapples delves into the resilience and human qualities of Dene, who represents the spirit of typical working-class individuals thriving in the midst of industrial chaos.

According to Margareta Szabo, the documentary’s producer, it’s not often you come across a story that combines an untold tale, captivating characters, and a topic that seems both current and eternal, but Still Pushing Pineapples achieves this perfectly.

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Producer Margareta Szabo noted that it’s not every day you discover a story with the ideal blend of an untold narrative, delightful characters, and a subject that feels both relevant and timeless, but Still Pushing Pineapples pulls this off beautifully.

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Margareta Szabo, the documentary’s producer, mentioned that it’s not common to stumble upon a story with the perfect balance of an untold yarn, engaging personalities, and a topic that seems both contemporary and classic, but Still Pushing Pineapples nails this combination.

At the festival, it was announced that British journalist Nina Hossain would lead a discussion with renowned documentary producers Norma Percy and Lucy Heatherington about their careers. Notably, Norma Percy is known for producing groundbreaking series like “The Death of Yugoslavia,” “Putin vs the West,” and “Israel and the Palestinians: The Road to 7th October,” which have brought viewers close to world leaders and shed light on global power struggles. Furthermore, Lucy Hetherington has collaborated with Norma on multiple series and has spearheaded legally and editorially sensitive projects that have garnered awards.

This year’s BBC interview is now available to the public, starring renowned physicist Professor Brian Cox, known for his appearances on shows like “Solar System”, “Universe”, and “The Planets”.

The 32nd edition of the Sheffield DocFest takes place June 18-23.

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2025-05-01 17:25