Dirty Pretty Things

2002 | Drama | 97 minutes | English

Info

Olatokumbo “Okwe” Fadipe is a doctor. Because he is an illegal Nigerian immigrant in London, he must toil as a cab driver during the day and at night he is the front desk clerk in a hotel. After hearing about a clogged toilet from Juliette, a prostitute in the hotel, Okwe discovers a human heart is causing the backup. Meanwhile, Juan, the hotel manager, is running an illegal business selling immigrants’ kidneys in exchange for passports. After learning of Okwe’s past as a doctor, Juan pressures him to help with the removal of kidneys. Okwe refuses. Senay, an illegal Turkish woman seeking asylum also works at the hotel as a cleaner. She is fond of Okwe and allows him to sleep on her couch. However, after an inspection from the Immigration Service, Okwe and Senay hatch a daring plan to get two passports from Juan. In the final scene, Senay leaves for New York and Okwe calls his daughter to tell her he is returning to Nigeria.

Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Olatokumbo “Okwe” Fadipe) / Audrey Tautou (Senay Gelik) / Sergi Lopez (Juan) / Sophie Okonedo (Juliette)

Why Stream This Film?

Two illegal immigrants in London, witnessing a terrifying business of exchanging kidneys for passports, manage to find a devious way to escape. An enormously original film with touches of compassion.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 94%
Metacritic Score: 78

Accolades

Academy Awards: Nominated Best Original Screenplay (Steven Knight)
BAFTA Awards: Nominated, Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
London Critics Circle Film Awards: Winner, Best British Screenwriter (Steven Knight)
New York Film Critics Awards: Nominated, Best Screenplay (Steven Knight)