3. 2013, 91 minutes
Producers: Claire Jones, Andy Starke
(Rook Films)
Screenplay: Ben Wheatley, Amy Jump
England during the English Civil War (1648 AD)
A small group of deserters flee from a raging
battle through an overgrown field. They are
captured by two men: O'Neil and Cutler.
O'Neil (Michael Smiley), an alchemist, forces
the group to aid him in his search to find a
hidden treasure that he believes is buried in
the field. Crossing a vast mushroom circle,
which provides their first meal, the group
quickly descend into a chaos of arguments,
fighting and paranoia, and, as it becomes clear
that the treasure might be something other
than gold, they slowly become victim to the
terrifying energies trapped inside the field.
4. Film 4.0
Film4.0 is a talent and idea driven hub within Film4 that works with established and
emerging talent, supporting them to tell unique stories and connect with audiences
in new ways.
In 2011 Film4 launched its groundbreaking new role in exploring innovation in
filmmaking with the appointment of Anna Higgs as Commissioning Executive for
Film4.0. Film4's reputation for nurturing new talent and building on its family of
returning talent in the UK is well-established, and it is now extending its vision to
advance thinking and practice and develop more direct relationships with audiences in
a fast-changing environment.
As Commissioning Executive for Film4.0, Anna Higgs works across talent development,
production and audience engagement, commissioning film projects that have the
potential to explore the spaces and relationships between traditional media, digital
platforms and the real world.
5. Film4
• Launched as part of Channel 4 in 1982 under ‘Channel 4 films’ to Commission
low- to medium budgeted films.
• Promoted diversity in film and explored contemporary social and political
problems.
Channel Four films were a major contributor to British films success in America,
however, still only accounted for 1% gross at the UK Box Office.
•Re-launched as Film4 in 1999 with the successes of Four Wedding and a Funeral
(1994; gross of $240m), Shallow Grave (1994) & Trainspotting (1996).
Film4 was a unique attempt to bridge distribution and production in Britain.
6. The end of film 4
The distribution arm of Film Four came to an end in 2002. It is often
claimed that the film Charlotte Gray (2001) is most responsible for this.
In trying to make films that appealed to both international and
domestic markets Film Four achieved neither.
“Film four…invested in films that could be defined as ‘typically
British’…” Sarah Casey Benyahia
It played an important role in the distribution of films which British
audiences were unlikely to have access to otherwise, to cinemas and
on Video and DVD.
7. The Innovation Fund will work with the Film Fund to unlock innovation across the
production sector but will also ensure the BFI can support digital opportunities across all
areas including new ways of getting films to audiences, investing in innovative business
models, distribution and delivery platforms, research and development and market
intelligence.
The UK has previously invested in a range of digital innovation initiatives for film including:
• a Digital Screen Network of 240 digital screens across the UK that show non-
mainstream films regularly; and
• a pilot project which will bring the latest digital cinema equipment to rural areas to
give more film fans in remote communities the chance to enjoy the communal
experience of cinema.
The Innovation Fund will go live after further consultation with film stakeholders with a
launch in autumn 2010.
We will announce further information in the coming months about the Innovation Fund
here, through the trade press and directly to industry organisations.
9. BBFC
The distribution company is in charge of getting
the film out to audiences. This involves organising
for the film to receive an age certificate by
regulation bodies such as the BBFC and MPAA.
The distributors then need to arrange exhibition
outlets globally and DVD/Television rights, arrange
for prints of the film and marketing, publicity and
promotion of the film.
10.
11.
12. Trower
Julian Barrett (The Mighty Boosh)
Whitehead
Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen)
O’Neil
Michael Smiley (Kill List, Spaced)
