When I first met Harry Lighton and Harry Melling at the London Film Festival, Pillion was just beginning its journey. Now, with three BAFTA nominations, including Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer, the film has clearly made a significant impact. (For those who haven’t seen it yet, Pillion is in cinemas now)
Harry Lighton described the moment he heard about the BAFTA nods as “an incredible feeling,” expressing how happy he was for everyone involved in making the film. He also shared how surreal the journey has been, admitting, “I’ve kind of not stopped pinching myself since we last spoke.” That mix of disbelief and joy is familiar to many creatives experiencing early success.
Harry Melling’s career path is equally compelling. From playing Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter to portraying Colin in Pillion, he has built a rich and varied body of work. He reflected on his journey with gratitude: “I’ve always known I had to try and do this, to try and act, to try and tell stories… I’m just very grateful that I get presented these wonderful scripts to have a go at.” His passion for theatre, TV, and film shines through as he embraces diverse roles.
The film itself is a study in contrasts, particularly with the barbershop quartet scenes standing in stark opposition to Colin’s immersion in Ray’s biker world. Harry Lighton explained the creative choice: “I wanted something which was the kind of stark opposite of a bike gang… barbershop is this amazing sound, but it’s known for being kind of lame.” This contrast brilliantly highlights Colin’s transformation, from a shy young man excelling in his family’s barbershop quartet to someone who shaves his head and embraces a new identity.
Harry Melling discussed the physical and emotional journey of that transformation. “I did my very best… the harmonies are very close to each other, so that was a good few months prior to filming that we tried to get that musical part as good as we could.” He added, “We meet Colin, this timid young guy who’s waiting for life to happen… and then he goes on this fantastic journey… he starts to really know what he wants from life and who he is.”
Together, their reflections reveal how Pillion is a film about self-discovery and embracing complexity. It doesn’t shy away from difficult themes but invites viewers to witness a deeply personal journey, reminding us that transformation often comes from unexpected places.
For those interested in hearing more from Harry Lighton and Harry Melling about their experiences making Pillion, their creative journeys, and the film’s reception, the full interview is available on Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast.