Dartmoor Killing: New British drama receives special screening in Wotton

A new film, set and shot in the south west, is to be screened at the Electric Picture House Cinema in Wotton-under-Edge, with members of the production team in attendance.

Shot on Dartmoor in the summer of 2014, Dartmoor Killing (15) is a psychological thriller inspired by films such as Dead Calm and The Shining. Co-written and directed by BAFTA winner, Peter Nicholson, who grew up in South Devon, the film uses the spectacular landscape of Dartmoor not only as the cinematic stage for the film but as the fifth character in the story helping to unlock long buried memories from the past.

Susan (Rebecca Knight), outwardly confident and Becky (Gemma-Leah Devereux), more fragile and shy, both in their late twenties, are inseparable friends. But both women have secrets they have not shared, some recent, some long past and deeply buried.

When, on a weekend trip to Dartmoor, they encounter the charismatic Chris (Callum Blue), they are led into a web of mind games, deceit and betrayal. As Becky’s traumatic involvement in Chris’ own damaged past is slowly revealed, a psychological journey swiftly becomes a fight for survival.

Dartmoor Killing is showing at the Electric Picture House on Sunday 27 September at 7.30pm. The screening will be followed by a question and answer session with Peter Nicholson and other members of the crew. Subject to work commitments, these will include Paul Williams, a Wotton-under-Edge resident who shot some of the film.

The film recently premiered at an outdoor screening on Dartmoor. For Peter Nicholson, Dartmoor was always an essential element to the film. He said, “British moorland is deeply embedded in our culture and psyche, from the Brontes and Conan Doyle to the horror associated with Saddleworth Moor; it’s both romantic and mysterious but also dangerous and threatening. We wanted to tap into this heritage and capture the cinematic potential of a unique British resource that’s rarely seen on the big screen. When the weather comes in it's moody and broody, a real personality. And it's also part of the narrative, in the film the landscape is used by the antagonist to unlock memories. So the moor is the stage, a character and a plot device. That's what I was interested in doing, that's what will gives the film its edge."

Tickets for the special screening can be booked in advance at www.wottoncinema.com.

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