The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas poster
Director Mark Herman has proved his Hull City-supporting credentials once again with an audacious Tigers reference hidden in his latest film, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.
But first, some history for late-comers.
Herman had a hand in most of Hull City’s cultural highlights of the Eighties – fantastic official club single The Tigers Are Back and award-winning film See You At Wembley, Frankie Walsh.
If he’d designed the Tiger Cola label as well, he would have been crowned Kingston-Upon-Hull’s premier renaissance man.
Since then Herman’s diversified his subject matter beyond the Tigers, with films like Purely Belter and Brassed Off – but he’s still managed to slip in Hull City references into them all.
For instance, witness Ewan McGregor’s prized racing pigeon in Little Voice being called, rather improbably, Duane (after coot-headed hitman Mr Darby, of course).
Herman’s latest project, the Holocaust film The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, must have proved the greatest challenge to shoehorn in a Hull City reference, however. (Making the striped pyjamas in the title black and amber coloured would have been rather tasteless).
But writing on fan email service Tiger-Chat, Herman confirmed there’s a nod to City buried in there somewhere. He wrote:
“Yes, there is a Hull City reference in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.
“It was a challenge to squeeze it in there, with all the names being German etc (I thought Frau Eva Browny or Oberleutenant Vindass might have been a bit noticeable.)”
So just what is the Hull City reference? He’s keeping mum for now.
“I won’t identify it here as some people are still searching for it.”
Aw, you tease.
* Do you know the Hull City AFC reference? If not, rent the film, watch it carefully, then share your knowledge by adding your comments below.
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