Cruel Summer (2016)

Young Autism sufferer Danny enjoys the serenity and solitude of camping. That's all about to change when enraged teens Nicholas, Calvin and Julia find him, each with their own agenda for wanting to see Danny suffer.

Directors:

Phillip Escott, Craig Newman

Writers:

Phillip Escott, Craig Newman

Stars:

Danny Miller, Reece Douglas, Natalie Martins

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Danny Miller	...	Nicholas
Reece Douglas	...	Calvin
Natalie Martins	...	Julia
Gary Knowles	...	Danny's Dad
Grace Dixon	...	Danny's Mum
Thomas Conning	...	Shop Keeper (as Thomas 'Verb T' Conning)
Richard Pawulski	...	Danny
Leah Rees	...	Calvin's Mum
Sabrina Dickens	...	Girlfriend / Lisa (voice)
Josh Hopkins	...	Arcade Teenager
Melanie Stephens	...	Calvin's Mum (voice)

Storyline

Danny (Richard Pawulski), a teenager with autism, escapes the inner city for the beautiful countryside as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Little does he know, that bitter Nicholas (Danny Miller) is hunting him, stemming from a lie created by the enamoured and envious Julia (Natalie Martins) and Calvin (Reece Douglas). As the three close in on Danny, Nicholas' behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and violent, and Julia and Calvin must decide whether to go through with Nicholas' deadly plan.

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Plot Keywords:

autism | countryside | camping | escape | lie | 

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Taglines:

One Day Changes Everything

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2016 (UK)

Also Known As:

Жестокое лето

Filming Locations:

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

441 Films,Bang Post Production,Dogs Of Annwn

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

[All trivia items for this title are spoilers.]

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Connections

Referenced in Frightfest 2016: In Conversation With (2016)

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Soundtracks

Powdered Dreams
Written by Thomas Conning
Performed by Thomas Conning (as Verb T)
Appears courtesy of High Focus Records

User Reviews

Very unsettling but for a small budget film very impressive

Cruel Summer is very much along the lines of Eden Lake. A young adult with autism goes camping for his Duke of Edinburgh award to find himself at the mercy of a young thug with revenge on his mind.

This is a small budget film and a simple plot but nevertheless it's extremely well made and always engrossing if exceptionally uncomfortable viewing. I thought it was very realistic and all the actors involved did a great job. Danny Miller has received rave reviews for his performances in the British soap Emmerdale and it is clear that he is a hugely talented actor that if he wants can go far. The rest of the cast are less well known but all convince.

I found this quite emotionally draining and pretty upsetting and it will live long in the mind. The fact things like this happen makes it all the more sad. The ending was heartbreaking and beautifully done.

This is an unsettling film and not a film to necessarily enjoy as such and therefore won't appeal to everyone. Still for those with the stomach for it this is a brutal but impressive film.