Making its debut out in Toronto last year to very promising early reviews, David Mackenzie’s Starred Up has been impressing audiences since the word go.
The British prison drama had its UK bow at the London Film Festival – you can read our review here – and went on to lead the 2013 British Independent Film Awards with eight nominations.
Led by the emerging young actor Jack O’Connell (Skins, 300: Rise of an Empire), a new trailer has debuted online, as well as the UK quad poster via Empire, giving us a look at what promises to be a brutal and gritty drama.
Eric (newcomer Jack O’Connell) arrives at his new prison cell with his explosive temper intact. His first priority is to handcraft a weapon for protection against older inmates. But after a violent incident, Eric barely escapes a brutal punishment from the guards. He is saved only by Oliver, the resident prison counselor — played with real nuance here by Rupert Friend — who diffuses the situation. A fragile bond is formed and Eric reluctantly agrees to join Oliver’s therapy sessions. Concerned that Eric may need more assistance to navigate the prison’s complex webs of alliances and aggressive racial prejudices, the prison boss calls upon Neville (Ben Mendelsohn), a fellow inmate, to keep him in line. Neville is Eric’s father.
Ben Mendelsohn (The Place Beyond the Pines, The Dark Knight Rises) and Rupert Friend (Homeland, The Young Victoria) keep O’Connell in excellent company, with Mendelsohn winning Best Supporting Actor at the BIFAs.
Mackenzie (Perfect Sense) directs from a script by Jonathan Asser, who won the Best British Newcomer award at the BFI London Film Festival for his debut script.
O’Connell recently began filming on Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, taking the lead as Louis Zamperini, and with the film expected to be an Oscar contender come the year’s end, things are clearly looking good for the rising young actor. At the very least, I’d say he’s a shoe-in for a nod in the EE Rising Star Award category at the BAFTAs next year, in no small part due to his performance in Mackenzie’s drama.
Starred Up will be released in the UK and Ireland on 21st March. No word yet on a US release date, but Tribeca Film acquired the North American rights last year, eyeing a limited theatrical release alongside its VOD release sometime this year.
[yframe url=’www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE4ziBfu0JA’]
And for the 140 characters or less-inclined amongst you, the film’s official Twitter account will be launching a competition at midday for followers to win a signed copy of the poster.
