Grimm Entertainment, the new distribution arm from the team behind Grimmfest, the much celebrated horror and cult movie festival (set to take place in October in Manchester) is set to release its first production – White Settlers. The film will be shown at Manchester’s Dancehouse Theatre from 15th – 18th September and will include special Q&A sessions before moving to The Small Cinema in Moston from 20th-23rd September.
As the UK turns its eyes to events in Scotland over the next week, so too do a London couple who decide to leave the big city rat race in search of cheap property in the Scottish Borders in this movie which has been dubbed ‘The Scottish Referendum Horror’. As Ed (Lee Williams – No Night Is Too Long and The Tudors) and Sarah (Pollyanna McIntosh – The Woman, Love Eternal and Filth) settle into their new home, an isolated farmhouse, they start to suspect that they are not alone before coming to realise that they certainly aren’t; that they do not belong; and that they are certainly not welcome! As events unfold throughout the night, Visit Scotland will no doubt be covering its eyes.
The film, produced in association with Not A Number Productions, has been directed by Simeon Halligan and written by Scottish screenwriter Ian Fenton who took inspiration from the history of cross-border conflicts in the region where he lived. White Settlers is set against a backdrop of political debate leading up to the Scottish Independence Referendum on 18th September, although it is not a political film, but rather a psychological thriller.
The release of the film marks a success for the small indie UK film industry as the team behind Grimmfest have put together the UK distribution on a shoestring budget. The movie was produced in the northwest, shot in the Peak District and post-production took place at MediaCity UK (Timeline North). The film has been heavily promoted using savvy social media expertise to generate a buzz around it, with the hashtag #indyrefhorror quickly being linked to the suspense thriller and rapidly taking off.
White Settlers will be shown from Monday 15th – Thursday 18th September at the Dancehouse Theatre, doors opening at 7.30 with the film showing at 8pm. The film holds a certificate 15 rating.
Pollyanna McIntosh will also be starring in Let Us Prey alongside Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) in the film’s English Premiere which is set to take place at the Grimmfest Opening Night Gala.
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