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As many reviews of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe have noted, the miniseries derives its somewhat unusual title from a West Indian proverb made popular in a Bob Marley song: “If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.” This pithy adage evokes, with a tone of striking confidence, the central theme of McQueen’s ambitious five-part anthology of stories—namely, the struggle of London’s West Indian community against the forces of institutional racism, state repression, and police violence.

Keep chipping away at these unjust structures of dominance for long enough, McQueen’s miniseries more than suggests, and eventually they’ll fall to the ground. But it would be easy to miss a key word embedded in that proverb, one which is central not only to the thematic basis of Small Axe, but to its very construction: “we.”

Composed of five self-contained films, each telling a distinct story about the joys and,...

In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to British author/screenwriter Alistair Owen about “3 Films That Impacted Everything In Your Everyday Life”, including:

Dead Poets Society (1989) Defence Of The Realm (1986) The Remains Of The Day (1993)

3 Films That Impacted Everything In Your Everyday Life is about those films that made you fall in love with film. The guest selects their trio of movies and we talk for 5 minutes, against the clock. When the Alarm goes off for five minutes we move onto the next film.

For more about Alistair Owen’s books like The Art of Screen Adaptation, Smoking in Bed: Conversations with Bruce Robinson et al see https://www.alistairowenwriter.com

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to David Nicholas Wilkinson, director of the epic documentary Getting Away With Murder(s). After its theatrical release in 2021, it was 17th in The Guardian’s 50 Best Films Of 2021.

More 4 will broadcast Getting Away With Murder(s) on UK TV. Part 1 on 27th January – Holocaust Memorial Day at 21:00. They have, with David’s full blessing, decided, rather than broadcast the full 175 minutes, which is tough going, to put it over two nights. Part 2 follows on Saturday, 28th January, at the same time. It will also be on All 4.

Channel 4 have taken the almost unprecedented step of broadcasting each part without any adverts… This film is two decades plus in the making with a tiny budget.

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to writer/director Thomas Wright about his sophisticated crime drama The Stranger.

Two men who meet on a bus and strike up a conversation that turns into friendship. For Henry Teague, worn down by a lifetime of physical labour and crime, this is a dream come true.

The Stranger is available to watch now on Netflix.

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright welcomes back writer/director Mark Jenkin to talk about his second feature film Enys Men.

Shot on 16mm, Enys Men is a mind-bending Cornish folk horror set in 1973 that unfolds on an uninhabited island off the Cornish coast. A wildlife volunteer’s daily observations of a rare flower take a dark turn into the strange and metaphysical, forcing both her and viewers to question what is real and what is a nightmare.

Enys Men is in cinemas across UK and Ireland from 13th January. Details here https://www.enysmen.co.uk

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to screenwriter Eleonora Mignoli about “10 Things I Wish They’d Taught Me In Film School.” Which includes:

Networking is a long-term game. Getting an agent is just the first step on the ladder. Working in development is probably the best day job for a screenwriter. Coping with rejection (or silence) is the most important skill you’ll have to learn. Writing actual scripts is only a tiny part of your job. Being original is almost impossible. Being consistently productive is the best way to get noticed. The best thing you can do to advance your career is to finish a long-form script. Short films will not make your career. Competitions are a tool, not a goal.

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to British director Phil Hawkins about his new film Prancer: A Christmas Tale (out now from Universal/Sky) and 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life. Including:

Jurassic Park (1993) The Truman Show (1998) Unbreakable (2000)

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life is about those films that made you fall in love with film. The guest selects their trio of movies and we talk for 5 minutes, against the clock. When the alarm goes off for five minutes we move on to the next film.

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to actor Josh Ruben about his role in the film A Wounded Fawn, as well as… 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life. Including:

The Sugarland Express (1974) Stephen King’s Cat’S Eyes (1986) Nightbreed (1990)

A Wounded Fawn is available on Shudder now.

A serial killer brings an unsuspecting new victim on a weekend getaway to add another body to his ever-growing count. She’s buying into his faux charms, and he’s eagerly lusting for blood. What could possibly go wrong?

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to actor Sarah Lind about her role in the film A Wounded Fawn, as well as… 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life. Including:

The Wizard Of Oz (1939) Harold & Maude (1971) Mulholland Drive (2001)

A Wounded Fawn is available on Shudder now.

A serial killer brings an unsuspecting new victim on a weekend getaway to add another body to his ever-growing count. She’s buying into his faux charms, and he’s eagerly lusting for blood. What could possibly go wrong?

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to award-winning filmmaker Yoav Segal, who wrote, produced and art-directed the incredible opening sequence for Once Upon a Time in Londongrad, who offers his 5 Guiding Principles For Making The Best Opening Sequences for film and TV.

Making titles is about refined storytelling Get inside the film’s vision, genre and intention Commit to a bold style Compartmentalise cards, images and moments Deliver with care, flare and precision

Once Upon a Time in Londongrad is available on demand to Sky TV subscribers

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to director Tommy Boulding about his feature film directorial debut Hounded.

A lavish manor house was supposed to be just another job for Chaz and his crew of South London thieves. Easy pickings… or so they thought. But they unknowingly walk into a trap to be used as pawns for the owners’ sinister aims. The crew are prey for a deadly hunting game over the estate, fleeing across abandoned farms, deep woodland and rivers in an attempt to survive.

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to comedian, musician and filmmaker Graham Fellows about his new documentary Father Earth. Shot over 12 years, it stars himself as his long-standing comic character John Shuttleworth, his father and his son as he tries to get to grips with saving the world from ecological and environmental disaster.

Father Earth is the true story of one man’s attempt to help save the planet, by converting a derelict church on a windswept island in Orkney into an eco friendly recording studio, having driven a G Wiz electric car there all the way from London. That’s the plan, but Life and Relationships – specifically between fathers and sons – can get in the way, appearing even more important than the future of the planet!

Father Earth is touring the UK with Graham Fellows in attendance. For dates and locations see his website.

Christmas on Mistletoe Farm is a children’s Netflix Christmas movie written and directed by Debbie Isitt starring Scott Garnham, Scott Paige, Kathryn Drysdale and Delilah O’Riordan.

An addition to the Christmas-themed catalogue that will entertain many a kid as they look forward to Yuletide.

Premise

A widower, father to four children, relocates together with his offspring to the countryside having inherited a farm. Life on the farm will require some adapting.

Christmas on Mistletoe Farm (2022) Movie Review

Without losing ourselves in cinematic criteria, we will point out that ‘Christmas in Mistletoe Farm’ is produced with the sole objective of being an uncomplicated feature for the young ones to enjoy the joy of the ever-nearing Christmas season, and get to see what life is like beyond the big city, where animals are ever present and amusing, and there are wonderful people everywhere.

No harm in that. They will have a...

In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with director Steve Johnson about his new psychological thriller Stalker, which recently screened as part of this year’s Frightfest.

Rose Hepburn, a young actor working in horror movies, returns to her empty hotel. Forced to use the old freight elevator, it jolts to a halt on the twelfth floor, leaving her trapped with an unusual stranger. Left with no mobile phone signal as a storm approaches, tensions escalate and suspicions rise when Rose discovers the identity of the mysterious man is Daniel Reed, a camera operator on her latest movie, who is seemingly obsessed with her. As the elevator hangs precariously high about to plunge down at any minute, some harsh truths and actions start unfolding.

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment presents Stalker on DVD and Digital from 10th October 2022.

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In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to Brea Grant, director of Blumhouse’s horrifying Nashville Noir Torn Hearts, a film that proves the old adage that you should never meet your heroes.

Jordan and Leigh are up-and-coming Nashville stars with their band ‘Torn Hearts’. They hear Harper Dutch, the reclusive surviving sister of the iconic country duo ‘The Dutchess Sisters’, is searching for the right comeback project. So they decide to turn up on Harper’s doorstep with a plan to record a chart-topper together. The faded megastar invites them into her private mansion, locks the doors and pours what could be the last drink of Torn Hearts’ career. For their idol puts them through a series of twisted horrors that forces them to confront the limits they’d go to for their dreams.

Starring Katey Sagal, Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire, Torn Hearts is...

In his latest podcast/interview, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with writer/director Ben Parker about “5 Great Films That Influenced…” his movie Burial

War Films – The Dirty Dozen (1967) Mix Genre – Ravenous (1999) Obsession – Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) Last Stand – Rio Bravo (1959) What’S In The Box – Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

Burial, starring Charlotte Vega and Tom Felton, is available to rent or buy as HD Digital from Monday 26th September.

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In hist latest interview/podcat host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with writer/actor/stuntman Matt Hookings about the boxing film Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher, which is available to watch on Prime Video subscribers and other VOD platforms in the UK now.

At the turn of the 19th century, Pugilism was the sport of kings and a gifted young boxer fought his way to becoming champion of England.

You can watch Prizefighter now on Amazon Prime. And you can check out the links below for more of our Prizefighter coverage:

Prizefighter Video Review | Matt Hookings Exclusive Interview

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In. his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to director Cameron Perry and writer Sam Briggs about their short film When The Clapping Stops, plus give us 5 Reasons Why We Made A Film About Care Workers

The Current Plight of Carers Why this film? Covid as a backdrop This is a story that affects everyone The next steps

Catch When The Clapping Stops in 2022 at these UK film festivals:

September – Wigan and Leigh Film Festival October – Bolton Int Film Festival & Wimbledon Int Film Fest Synopsis:

Matty – a young and dedicated care worker – meets his match when his agency assigns him to middle-aged firecracker and epilepsy sufferer, June. Despite struggling to access support from a sector stretched thin, Matty must also provide unpaid care for his terminally ill Grandfather. Soon, the emotional stress of balancing his personal and professional care duties begins to take its toll – abandonment and...

In his latest podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to writer/director Scott Mann about his new film Fall, which closes this year’s Frightfest tonight at 9.15/9.45pm

After the tragic death of her husband in a climbing accident, avid rock climber Becky has withdrawn from the world. In an effort to help Becky heal from her past trauma, best friend Hunter suggests an exhilarating climb to the top of a remote, abandoned 2000-feet high radio tower where they will scatter her husband’s ashes. But when sections of the mast’s rickety ladder break off, the girls are stranded at the top in a pulse-pounding, vertigo-inducing fight for survival against the elements and unforeseen dangers. Get ready for the adrenaline-fuelled, thrill-a-minute experience of a lifetime.

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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In his latest podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks writer/director Neil Marshall about The Lair ahead of the world premiere at Frightfest 2022, which took place last night (Thurs Aug 25th). He also talks to Neil and producer Keith Bell about the 4k restoration of Dog Soldiers that is also being screened at Frightfest this weekend too.

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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In his latest podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright previews Frightfest 2022 with a host of filmmakers premiering their films at Frightfest 2022. You’ll hear from:

H4Z4RD director Jonas Govaerts The Leech writer/director Eric Pennycoff She Came From The Woods director/co-writer Erik Bloomquist & co-writer Carson Bloomquist Walk Against The Rain writer/director Scott Lyus

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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In his latest Frightfest preview podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to Patrick Rea about his new film They Wait in the Dark and …

“5 Films That Have Influenced Everything I’Ve Done In My Adult Life” which includes:

Star Wars (1977) Friday The 13th (1980) Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) Big Trouble In Little China (1986) Robocop (1987)

See They Wait in the Dark at Frightfest 2022 https://www.frightfest.co.uk/holdingfolder2/tickets.html

Synopsis:

Amy, a young woman is on the run with her young son Adrian from her abusive ex-girlfriend. When the past rises up to haunt them, they must confront the forces threatening them from both outside and in.

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In his latest podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright previews Frightfest 2022 with a host of filmmakers premiering their films at Frightfest 2022. You’ll hear from:

Burial writer/director Ben Parker Everybody Dies By The End writer & co-director Ian Tripp & co-director Ryan Schafer The Eyes Below writer/director Alexis Bruchon Powertool Cheerleaders Vs The Boyband Of The Screeching Dead writer/director Pat Higgins The Group writer/director William Higo Sorry About The Demon writer/director Emily Hagins

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to Dominic Brunt about his new film Wolf Manor and “5 Films That Have Influenced Everything I’ve Done in my Adult Life” including:

Night of the Demon (1957) Whistle Down the Wind (1961) From Beyond the Grave (1974) Shogun Assassin (1980) Remains of the Day (1993)

See the World Premiere of Wolf Manor at Frightfest 2022. Click here for tickets: https://www.frightfest.co.uk/holdingfolder2/tickets.html

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In his latest podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright previews Frightfest 2022 with a host of filmmakers premiering their films at Frightfest 2022. You’ll hear from:

Do Not Disturb writer/director John Ainslie The Harbinger writer/director Andy Mitton Mean Spirited director/co-writer Jeff Ryan The Once And Future Smash + End Zone 2 co-writer/director Michael J Epstein The Ones You Didn’T Burn writer/director/actor Elise Finnerty Stalker writer Chris Watt

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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Screenwriter Stuart Wright previews Frightfest 2022 with Frightfest’s Paul McEvoy offering his personal tips on how to get the best out of film festivals. Plus we speak to three filmmakers about the films they are premiering at Frightfest 2022. You’ll hear from:

Cult Of VHS director Rob Preciado Midnight Peepshow co-creator/writer/director Airell Anthony Hayles The Ghost Writer director Paul Wilkins

For more details and tickets to Frightfest see https://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to filmmaker Liam Regan (Banjo aka My Bloody Banjo) about his new film Eating Miss Campbell, which has its World Premiere at Frightfest 2022 later this month. A life-long Troma fan, Regan also picks his Top 5 Troma Films, including:

Bloodsucking Freaks (1976), directed by Joel M Reed “As a cultural artefact, and as an example of the worst uses of creative energy, however, Bloodsucking Freaks is a must-see. Just remember, if you are offended by it, the joke is on you.” From Classic-horror.com Rob Wrigley Combat Shock (1984) directed by Buddy Giovinazzo Anton Bitel writes on VODZilla – Combat Shock is a downbeat, depressing film, dripping with a persistent pessimism that runs counter to the prevailing Reaganite ideology of the day. For here, instead of conspicuous affluence and yuppieism, we get an alternative view of street-level life on the destitute, desperate margins of Eighties America,...

In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks to screenwriter on the rise and host of the Social Writer Podcast, Andy Compton about 5 Great Tips To Get The Film Industry To Notice You (when you’re not based in Hollywood)

Breaking in from outside Hollywood Navigating screenwriting competitions Finding your voice/building brand Making your short film with whatever you have available to you Writing with a personal connection to material

For more about Andy and to listen to his podcast check out https://linktr.ee/TheSocialScreenwritersPodcast

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with co-founders Alex Kidd and Evrim Ersoy about Dukefest: The Return, which takes place Sunday 31st July – Wednesday 3rd August 2022.

From a Cannes favourite to NY Public Access TV, our four-day bonanza is eager to celebrate the madness of cinema in every possible format across Two amazing London venues: Prince Charles Cinema & King & Queen pub in Fitzrovia!

Dukefest 2022 includes: Bloody Oranges (UK Premiere) – Sunday 31st July @Prince Charles Cinema Alex’s Mystery Show / Evrim Presents: 15-Years Of The Duke – Monday 1st August @King And Queen Secret Society / Evrim’s Worst Of Show / The New York TV Archive Part 2 – Tuesday 2nd August @King And Queen Sean Hogan “Twilight’s Last Screaming” book launch event w/screening of The Possession Of Joel Delany

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks 5 Great American Horror Films featured in author Sean Hogan’s new book Twilight’s Last Screaming. Get you copy direct from the publisher: https://blackshuckbooks.co.uk/tls/

5 Great American Horror Films featured in Twilight’s Last Screaming:

Messiah of Evil (1973) February (aka The Blackcoat’s Daughter) (2015) Poor Pretty Eddie (aka Redneck County) (1975) The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972) The Wind (2018)

See Sean Hogan at Dukefest: The Return, which takes place 31 July – 3 August 2022.

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with screenwriter Cj Walley about his book Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter’s Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster.

Inspired by Cj Walley’s extensive online posts and extended three-fold to include content on character development, dialogue, effective drafting, and building a career, the Turn & Burn methodology offers practical, real-world advice for quickly turning stories – within any genre – into engaging and authentic movie scripts. Turn & Burn is a proven and systematic way to get the very best out of your ideas and your unique artistic voice.

Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter’s Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster is out now. Order your copy from Amazon.

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks for the third time with Daniel Draper about Manifesto, the third instalment of his Hope Trilogy of documentaries about left-wing politics in the UK; which was released on Thursday 16th June.

Over three pivotal years in party politics, activists in the safest Labour seat in the country campaign for change under the banner of Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘For The Many’ manifesto.

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks 5 Great Films That Embody The Spirit Of Punk with Richard Cabut, author of the book Looking For a Kiss (Sweat Drenched Press) and co-editor/author of the anthology Punk is Dead: Modernity is Killed Every Night.

Cabut’s choices of 5 Great Films That Embody The Spirit Of Punk include:

1966 – Chelsea Girls – Andy Warhol 1975 – The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Jim Sharman 1978 – Jubilee – Derek Jarman 1980 – The Great Rock n Roll Swindle – Julien Temple 1987 – Withnail & I – Bruce Robinson

For more about Richard and his other work check out https://www.richardcabut.com

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In his latest interview/podcast, host and screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with script reader, author and BFI Network Talent Executive Nadia Attia about a blog she wrote about her thoughts after reading 400 scripts during Oct 2021.

We boiled it down to 5 main points for discussion:

What makes a good reader? What readers look for Avoid (or play with) clichés and stereotypes Let us in – and then read the room Don’t squander the blank page

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Directed by Sagar Ballary, the sports biopic Jungle Cry, which releases on May 20th, is an incredible and inspiring true story. It follows the journey of twelve very underprivileged boys from Kalinga Institute in Odisha, with no shoes, no equipment, and no clue about rugby went to play and won. These determined boys trained hard to master this difficult and hard-hitting sport, and not only that, within just four months, they became the roaring The Jungle Cats of India and went on to win the 2007 Under-14 Rugby World Cup in Wales.

To set the match, check out the trailer:

The triumphant true story stars Abhay Deol (Hero, Line of Descent), Emily Shah (Fortune Defies Death), Atul Kumar (Manto), Julian Lewis Jones (Invictus, Justice League), and Stewart Wright (Doc Martin, Doctor Who).

The wonderful actress, Emily Shah, plays Roshni Thakkar, the physiotherapist for the team. Emily reveals how much Jungle Cry...

Releasing on May 20th in theaters and on June 3rd on Lionsgate play is the Rugby biopic Jungle Cry. Directed by Sagar Ballary (Bheja Fry), the triumphant true story features Abhay Deol, Emily Shah (Fortune Defies Death), Atul Kumar (Manto), Stewart Wright and Julian Lewis Jones.

Jungle Cry is the incredible true story of 12 orphaned boys from India, from Kalinga Institute with no clue about rugby. They trained hard to master this epic sport and within just 4 months, went on to become the roaring “Jungle Cats”, winning the under-14 Rugby World Cup Championship in Wales in 2007.

Here is the fabulous trailer

Also featuring cameos by some of the top names in the sport, including world famous rugby referee Nigel Owens, Wales and British Lions fly half Phil Bennett and Colin Charvis, former captain of the Wales National Rugby Union Team.

Abhay Deol said, “In the land of cricket, where there...

We have your first look at an exciting new film! Directed by Sagar Ballary (Bheja Fry), Jungle Cry follows the incredible journey of 12 underprivileged children who came from the most extreme tribal areas, playing sports barefoot and went on to win the prestigious U14 Rugby World Cup in England. The triumphant story stars Abhay Deol, Emily Shah (Fortune Defies Death), Atul Kumar (Manto), Stewart Wright and Julian Lewis Jones. The film also features cameos by some of the top names in the sport, including world-famous rugby referee Nigel Owens, Wales and British Lions fly-half Phil Bennett, and Colin Charvis, former captain of the Wales National Rugby Union Team.

The ‘Jungle Crows’ rugby team came from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Orissa, India which has over 30,000 children from tribal, underprivileged, and orphaned backgrounds and strives to eradicate poverty through education and sports. The inspirational team, along with coaches Rudraksha Jena and Paul Walsh MBE,...

Bollywood Hollywood Production will give rugby film “Jungle Cry” a theatrical release in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa next month. The film screens for buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin this month.

Directed by Sagar Ballary (“Bheja Fry”), the story features Abhay Deol, Emily Shah (“Fortune Defies Death”), Atul Kumar (“Manto”), Stewart Wright and Julian Lewis Jones. The pic also features cameos by some of the top names in the sport, including referee Nigel Owens, Wales and British Lions fly half Phil Bennett, and Colin Charvis, former captain of Wales.

“Jungle Cry” follows the journey of 12 underprivileged children, playing sports bare foot, who went on to win the prestigious U14 Rugby World Cup in England. The team came from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Orissa, India, which has more than 30,000 children from tribal, underprivileged and orphaned backgrounds,...

Tony winner Ari’el Stachel is set to appear in the A24 Janicza Bravo-directed drama, Zola, opposite title role star Taylour Paige, Colman Domingo, Riley Keough, and Jason Mitchell. It’s based on a series of bizarre 2015 tweets from Aziah ‘Zola’ Wells who detailed a wild 2-day Flordia trip with a sex worker named Jessica, her boyfriend Jarrett, and Jessica’s violent pimp, who went by Z. Ari’el plays Zola’s fiancé, Sean. The film’s source material is a Rolling Stones article Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted by David Kushner. Bravo co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Jeremy O. Harris, Andrew Neel, and Mike Roberts. Stachel, who won the Tony for his role in the stage musical, The Band’s Visit, is repped by Authentic.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency actress Fiona Dourif will star in Unsinkable, an indie drama...