Dark River (2017)

Following the death of her father, Alice (Ruth Wilson) returns to her home village for the first time in 15 years, to claim the tenancy to the family farm she believes is rightfully hers.

Director:

Clio Barnard

Writers:

Clio Barnard, Lila Rawlings (story development) (as Lila V. Rawlings)

Stars:

Ruth Wilson, Jonah Russell, Paul Robertson

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruth Wilson	...	Alice Bell
Jonah Russell	...	Pete
Paul Robertson	...	Declan
Sean Bean	...	Richard Bell
Una McNulty	...	Susan Bell
Esme Creed-Miles	...	Young Alice
Aiden McCullough	...	Young Joe
Olivia Brennan	...	Ellie
Mark Stanley	...	Joe Bell
Joe Dempsie	...	David
Mike Noble	...	Rowan
Steve Garti	...	Jim
Dean Andrews	...	Matty
Kenton Foster	...	Auctioneer
Jake Hayward	...	Young David

Storyline

After receiving news of her father's death, Alice, a young travelling sheep-shearer, tentatively decides to return to the dilapidated family house of her childhood, in muddy North Yorkshire. Surprisingly, it's been already fifteen years since Alice left behind an ailing dad and her older brother, Joe, to wander about from farm to farm; however, this cold and heavy homecoming will be Alice's last chance to reclaim the land she believes was once promised to her. But, now, on one hand, there's Joe's resentment paired with a rancorous rivalry between siblings--while, on the other hand--fleeting mournful shadows of a troubled past permeate the walls of an imperfect prize. What will it take to keep the haunting memories at bay?

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Plot Keywords:

brother sister relationship | farm | rural setting | haunted by the past | yorkshire | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original literary source: "Trespass", novel by Rose Tremain, Chiatto &Windus, London, 4-3-2010, 253 pages, ISBN: 9780701177942.

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Quotes

Alice: You told me not to tell anyone. Did you think it was something I ought to be ashamed of?
Joe Bell: No, I...
[pause]
Joe Bell: I was trying to protect you.

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Soundtracks

An Acre of Land
Traditional British song
Adapted by Harry Escott
Sung by PJ Harvey (as P.J. Harvey)

User Reviews

Bleak and Harrowing

Ruth Wilson carries this film in devastating fashion, through the dark, cold, windy, and disorientating farmland of northern England, where sister and brother vie for tenancy of their deceased father's land. With the menace of Winter's Bone and the tragic tone of Tim Roth's War Zone, the pain of an abused - an emotional cripple trying to forge through the trauma that transcends past and present - has never been made more precipitant than in Dark River. Words ring harsh, blows and falls are felt - this is one that lives you feeling wounded. Precede at your own risk.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dark River

Filming Locations:

Northallerton Prison, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,246, 1 July 2018

Gross USA:

$7,714

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$239,182

Company Credits

Production Co:

BFI Film Fund, BFI's Film Found, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1