Locking up knife neds doesn't work says Peter Mullan

Published on Saturday 15 January 2011 14:53

LOCKING youngsters up for carrying a knife does not work, Scottish film director Peter Mullan claimed yesterday.

Mullan, 51, made the comment during an interview ahead of the release of his film NEDS: Non Educated Delinquents.

The film is based in Glasgow during the 1970s and tells the story of a teenager who joins a gang.

Mullan, who acted in and wrote and directed the film, said: "I was a tourist in the gangs. I was not, as John is, one of the main players. I was pretty much on the periphery, and the violence, I never got involved to anything like the same degree as John gets involved.

"However, having said that, I was aware of feelings within me that were getting darker and darker."

Mullan said he still saw knife crime and gang culture as a big problem. He said: "We need to find the means by which we can raise young kids' self-esteem without the knives, without the guns, without the need for violence. Now, that's much easier said than done. Locking them away certainly doesn't work."

Conor McCarron, who was picked from 300 hopefuls to star in the film in his first acting role, said: "Like Peter says, locking them up is not doing anybody any favours.

"Most neds, nowadays, on the day they come out, they come out feeling quite manly. You don't want that. You don't even need that. It just makes the matter worse."

Speaking about his first acting role and filming, the 17-year-old, who plays John McGill, said: "It was just total fun. I loved every day.

"It was just amazing I totally loved it, totally loved it. I'd say I've got the bug."

NEDS can be seen at the Cineworld in Glasgow from 21 January.

Mullan has a string of acting credits to his name, including roles in Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and Braveheart. His first full-length film as a writer and director, Orphans, won him an award at the Venice Film Festival and his portrayal of a recovering alcoholic in Ken Loach's My Name Is Joe won him the Best Actor award at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.