Onwards and Sideways

Tony Evans is deputy head of a primary school. Emma Dretzin is a musician and composer, and single mother of two daughters.  Neither knows the other. Until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives.  

On the same morning, these two are simultaneously confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

This film is the story of Tony and Emma - a friendship which unfolds unexpectedly. A story of humour and emotion, of challenge and bravado, of music and dance - transcending the assumptions of a little understood condition, and triumphing over the odds to find joy, release and love.

A powerful, life-affirming British drama from Academy Award-nominated Director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Onwards and Sideways stars BAFTA Award-winner Rhys Ifans (Inheritance, House of the Dragon), Academy Award-nominee Laura Linney (Ozark, Love Actually), Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood), and Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power).