Project Detail

Release

Christian Martin

Synopsis

Written and Directed by the creators of Shank, Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin, Release is a love story that thematically explores the hypocrisy that society thrives on and which fuels prejudice and hatred. Emotionally rich and varied the story seeks to touch upon the honesty of true love and the deception of ideology, theology and morality.

Father Jack Gillie (Daniel Brocklebank) enters prison a guilty man, convicted for a crime that sees the Church abandon him, his congregation desert him and his faith challenged. His fellow inmates believe he's been convicted of paedophilia and begin to plant the seed of doubt into the mind of his teenage cellmate, Rook (Wayne Virgo). After rescuing Rook from a beating Jack now becomes the inmates prey. Protection comes in the unlikely form of a prison officer, Martin (Garry Summers) with whom Jack falls in love and together they embark on a dangerous and illicit affair behind cell doors. As trust forms between the two men so Jack feels enabled to confess the truth behind the crime for which he has been imprisoned. Emboldened by Jack's honesty the two men plan their lives together post Jack's release.

Prison gang leader Max (Bernie Hodges), however has ulterior objectives and sets about ruining this relationship and manipulates the Governess, Heather (Dymphna Skehill), into suspending Martin for misconduct after disclosing the affair. Alone and vulnerable Jack is now tormented and hunted by Max who takes revenge on him for his crime.

Waking from the near fatal actions of Max, Jack keeps his head down and bides his time comforted by letters of love and support from Martin - delivered with disgust and loathing by one of Martin's colleagues. With the end of his sentence in sight Jack readies himself for a new life and a new beginning with Martin. The only obstacle to this tabula rasa remains Max and Father Elliott (Dave Jones) the Church's messenger sent to establish what Jack's intentions are once free.

Details

Year: 2010
Type of project: Features
Running time: 90 mins
Format: HD
Director: Darren Flaxstone, Christian Martin 1st Feature
Producer: Christian Martin
Co-Producer: Darren Flaxstone
Editor: Darren Flaxstone
Screenwriter: Darren Flaxstone, Christian Martin
Director of Photography: Simon Pearce
Production Designer: Christian Martin, Jez Hunziker
Sound: Xander McGrouther
Composer: Thom Petty
Principal cast: Daniel Brocklebank, Garry Summers, Bernie Hodges, Wayne Virgo, Dave Jones, Dymphna Skehill