'Love letter to Leeds' captures a dry and cutting sense of humour on film

A new independent comedy film set in Leeds has been released on YouTube, gaining thousands of views.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Directed by Matthew Cooper, Sober centres on a chaotic day in the life of new dad dan (Dean Smith). On the same day that his first child is born, Dan finds himself lost in a chaotic adventure with best friend Ant (Tom Gibbons) involving gangsters, a horse race, a clown, and lots of beer.

Filmed in just nine days with a budget of £7,000, Dean Smith, who co-wrote and co-produced the movie alongside Tom Gibbons, describes Sober as "a little movie with a big heart".

Scenes in Sober are set in and around Leeds because the creative team know the region well, having all lived there for most of their lives. As a "love letter to Leeds", many recognisable locations can be seen in the film from Briggate to Leeds General Infirmary to East Leeds Snooker Club.

A carefree dance sequence on the steps of Leeds Town Hall may remind viewers of Tom Cruise in Risky Business or Hugh Grant in Love Actually.