Projects in genres: Drama

Synopsis

An ambitious London journalist investigates a series of present-day murders that follow the discovery of an unpublished novel by Charles Dickens in the cellar of an old Thames-side-pub. Gradually the reporter becomes obsessed with also unraveling a century-old murder in the pages of the manuscript, with the help of a police press officer and a mysterious beach-combing tramp who stalks the Thames foreshore. In a remarkable twin-role performance, Jacobi also plays the ghost of Charles Dickens, returning to read his long-lost novel.   Together, the tramp, journalist and press officer unlock the riddle of the manuscript to solve the modern murders. Along the way they encounter a greedy publisher, a corrupt detective and a menacing construction boss.    Based on the award-winning script by writer-director Brendan Foley, The Riddle is in the vein of classic Hitchcock noir thrillers with elements of the magic realism of films such as The Sixth Sense and The Green Mile. 

Synopsis

Amanda and Rowly are a young couple from London approached on holiday in Costa Rica to traffic cocaine for £10,000. For most mules, once is enough, for them it is just the beginning; until the consequences they face are far worse than the fear of imprisonment.

Synopsis

Full of absurd humor, the film is a poetic story of a sailor lost in the waves and a woman waiting for him in a small house by the sea. Will the boat reach the coast safely? This atmospheric film blends miniature stop-motion worlds with CGI animation and live-action.

Synopsis

The Secret of Moonacre is an enchanting tale of magic and adventure, following the quest of 13-year-old orphan Maria Merryweather who is sent away to live with her uncle Sir Benjamin in the mysterious Moonacre Manor. It is there Maria uncovers a dark and mysterious truth behind the feud that has been destroying Moonacre Valley and that she has only until the next full moon to undo the ancient curse and save Moonacre from destruction. Aided by a stable of wonderful characters and magical beasts, Maria sets out to bring peace to this magical world.

Synopsis

A photograph of a silhouetted girl by a lake is stuck on a wall and kissed. Over time the image degrades, becomes inky till eventually all its recognisable features are gone and a hole has worn through it. Alex clings on obsessing to the memory of his lost love Beatrice and the world passes him by as he descends into alcohol, isolation and a deep depression. Gone are the jokers of his past. Beatrice's life doesn't go on any smoother - continually affected by delusion and paranoia, suggesting Alex's violent return. This seems to reach its peak when her new boyfriend is kidnapped, interrogated and murdered. When did young love go so badly wrong? The bullet to the head at the start of this dark psychological drama is nothing by contrast to the reality of a mental health disorder.

Synopsis

Two women meet in a cafe on Christmas Eve - as they talk one realises that the other is her husband's mistress by a strange turn of events she also realises that this relationship benefits her.

Synopsis

Identical twins are separated at birth. One, Liam, becomes a successful though over-stretched property developer in the new godless, greedy Ireland; the other, a homeless bum in Leeds. They are the have and the have-not. In a series of wickedly devious comic episodes, the have-not sets out to steal Liam’s life. He succeeds, but finds nothing but debt and grief. Liam, on the other hand, discovers he is less aggrieved than he thought he might be to find himself relieved of his burdens.

Synopsis

The Toughest Girl in the World is a coming of age drama set in a small seaside town which explores the frustrations of a young bully as she struggles to accept her femininity.

Synopsis

Four candidates sit in a small beige room, each preparing themselves to interview for their dream job; each trying to avoid contact with one another. There's the stylish go-getter Marsha, so desperate for the job she has little interest in her fellow competitors; Tom, the cock-sure youngster with little game and Jeff, the least confident team player looking for a change. Only one, Kate, seems content to shy away behind furtive stares and a professional air. None of the candidates notice the schizophrenic temperature flux from hot to cold, the conveniences of frosted doughnuts, hot coffee, constant note-taking - and no calls for interview. For this Vacancy, it's not what you say that counts- it's all about what you do.  

Synopsis

A small town is infected by a deadly virus, and a frantic cover up is taking place. Three days after the initial contamination several special forces units are sent in on a recognisance mission, their objective; to measure the effects of the the virus and locate any survivors unaffected by the plague. The story follows the exploits of S.A.S Beta team who discover upon entering the town that not all the inhabitants have died from the disease, those that survived the plague have become rabid and wander the streets attacking those unaffected by the virus. Beta team are forced to abandon the streets and seek refuge in a house, their sanctuary quickly becomes a prison as the walking dead surround the building and the battle for survival begins.

Synopsis

Like so many before, Jamie Morgan asked the question 'What's it all about?' His spiritual search took him to California, to a workshop run by a white-haired spiritual 'guru' promoting sexual adventure and the possible existence of aliens. Jamie shed his clothes, inhibitions and defences on an emotional, amusing and provocative roller coaster ride towards enlightenment.

Synopsis

Set in the heavily regenerated City of Salford, Manchester. Liam Lovelle is a City Centre hotel night cleaner who arrives for work to discover a slight change to his daily routine. He is made redundant. Liam finds the sudden change very difficult. Why? Liam has Aspergers Syndrome.