Midlands Review of Living in Crime Alley
midlandsmovies • March 24, 2020
Midlands Review of Living in Crime Alley
Living in Crime Alley
Directed by Rob Ayling
2020
A frustrated father contemplating an eviction notice opens this new Batman fan-film from Midlands writer-director Rob Ayling who takes the dark knight in new directions in his 9-minute short.
Played by Vincent Jerome, the father puts on a brave face in front of his daughter (Bella Champagnie) who is dressed up in a fancy-dress Batman costume. Explaining that he needs to leave, his support for his offspring’s playtime is undercut as he pockets a pistol and heads out onto the streets.
The film has its actors use (very convincing) American accents and the well-shot streets are suitably dark and oppressive as seen in other classic incarnations of the caped crusader. The intense score also helps sell the big-screen aspirations of the film, covering up its Midlands roots but also keeping us firmly in the seedy world of Gotham City.
A Batman and DC fan-film may be quite a rare proposition for local filmmakers but not so much for the Midlands it seems. Living in Crime Alley is the second such film which sits alongside Sophie Black’s Growing Shadows (review here) which took a different angle on Batman lore focusing as it does on Poison Ivy.
Appearing to have no other option, our father dons a balaclava to hold up a convenience store. This sequence is cleverly cut with the daughter who is playing and throwing batarangs back home, still dressed as her favourite hero.
From strong shadows, intense lighting and some city special effects, the film does a fantastic job of taking us into the world of Batman and associated iconography. When Batman does finally show, an excellent (and expensive looking) costume harks back to the classic Tim Burton outfit worn by Michael Keaton.
With a strong vision, Living in Crime Alley is a superb short with the director’s love for the world showing on screen every step of the way. And as well as the usual crime-based aspects of the DC world, Ayling adds in some emotional heft using the father-daughter relationship and giving a more rounded portrayal of a man forced into crime – and the effects on his daughter.
For most, it’s a great portrayal of a classic superhero but for fans, I recommend you certainly tune in at the same Bat-time and on Rob Ayling’s YouTube Bat-channel and check out this exciting tale featuring Bat-fans’ favourite watchful protector.
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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