When young mum Molly is released from prison after serving four months, she assumes it will be a matter of hours before she can pick up her children from foster care. Instead, Molly finds herself in the worst of all catch-22s: she can’t get housing because she doesn’t have her kids living with her; but she can’t get them back without a roof over her head. When Molly reconnects with her childhood friend, and fellow single mother, Amina, the two women join forces and take destiny into their own hands.

Mark Says:
Director Daisy-May Hudson’s first film was Half Way, filmed on the family camcorder when she was a teenager, which documented Daisy-May, her mum and her sister being made homeless. Lollipop, her first fiction film, draws on Daisy-May’s personal insight into the crisis surrounding the social care system, with the writer-director using “creativity to transform pain in to art.” The resulting film has a rare intensity and passion; quite an extraordinary experience. Another significant factor is that men are absent from this story.

Reviews:
“It’s an essential example of British cinema banging a drum for those whose voices go unheard.”
Emma Simmonds, Radio Times

“A rousing, emotional wrecking ball in the very best way possible, boasting star-making turns across the board and a story that is guaranteed to stay with you.”
Latoya Austin, Movie Marker.

“Sterling’s performance throughout Lollipop is a marvel to watch, with the kaleidoscope of emotions being delivered despite adversity. Her tour de force, authentic performance captivates…”
Miriam Balanescu, Empire Magazine.