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by Chad Kennerk

Images courtesy of Justin Hardy

When six sacks of contents arrived courtesy of a mystery benefactor, filmmakers Justin and Dominic Hardy, sons of The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy, discovered an archive of lost papers, documents and personal effects relating to the making of their father’s seminal 1973 horror cult classic – a film that quite literally tore their family apart. Robin Hardy’s obsession with his directorial debut led to significant personal and financial sacrifices, leaving a mark on his family. Understandably, the brothers developed a complex relationship with their father’s work and the legacy of The Wicker Man.

The lore is legendary – from the beleaguered production, to its disavowal and harsh editing at the hands of distributor British Lion. An initial financial failure, the film remarkably saw a revival, often attributed to a 1977 commemorative issue of Cinefantastique, which called it "the Citizen Kane of horror movies.

The 16th edition of Manchester’s Grimmfest may have come to a close weeks ago, but today the festival revealed the winners of its pretigious awards. Held from 3rd to 6th October at the Odeon Great Northern, this year’s festival showcased 21 feature films and two programmes of short films, many of them world or UK premieres. With an outstanding line-up of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films, the festival culminated in the much-anticipated announcement of the Grimm Reaper Award winners, recognising the very best in various categories.

The grand winner of the Best Film award was Vardan Tozija’s M, a film that captivated the jury with its emotional intensity and deep thematic exploration. The jury noted that M was a standout in nearly every category it competed in, making it a clear choice for this year’s top honour. Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy’s Dead Mail received a special mention,...

Nick Frost has been honoured with the achievement in genre cinema award by the UK’s Grimmfest festival in Manchester.

The actor received the award for his work in films including Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End - otherwise known as the ’Cornetto Trilogy’ - as well as his latest work in Black Cab which opened Grimmfest as a world premiere.

Scroll down for full list of winners

Taking home the prize for best film was Vardan Tozija’s M. The dystopian sci-fi hails from North Macedonia and follows a young boy who travels alone in...

Nick Frost was honoured with the achievement in genre cinema award at the UK’s Grimmfest festival in Manchester.

The actor received the award for his work in films like Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End - otherwise known as the ’Cornetto Trilogy’ - as well as his latest work in Black Cab which opened Grimmfest as a world premiere.

Scroll down for full list of winners

Taking home the prize for best film was Vardan Tozija’s M. The dystopian sci-fi hails from North Macedonia and follows a young boy who travels alone in the...

As Grimmfest celebrates the haunting legacy of The Wicker Man 50 years on, Children of the Wicker Man makes a powerful impression, blending filmmaking history, personal discovery, and the complex relationship between father and sons. Directed by Justin Hardy and produced by Chris Nunn, this documentary goes beyond simple admiration for the cult classic, exploring the life and work of the original film’s creator, Robin Hardy, through the eyes of his children. The film is a poignant and deeply human journey that shows the impact of The Wicker Man not only on the horror landscape but also on those closest to its creator.

Will Knowles had the opportunity during the festival to speak with director Justin Hardy and producer Chris Nunn about the making of Children of the Wicker Man, its personal resonance, and what it’s like diving into such a monumental legacy while still creating something entirely their own.

Grimmfest, one of the UK’s premier genre film festivals, returns this October with an exciting and star-studded lineup of guests. Filmmakers and actors from around the globe are set to descend on Manchester to present their films, engage with fans, and take part in exclusive Q&a sessions, making this year’s edition the most interactive and talent-packed event yet.

Running from 3rd to 6th October at the Odeon Great Northern, Grimmfest offers a chance to see world premieres, UK debuts, and international hits before they hit wider release. Attendees will not only get to watch these films but also meet the creators and stars behind them in an intimate, fan-focused setting.

Grimmfest prides itself on not having a “Them and Us” atmosphere at their events. Instead, filmmakers and performers are encouraged to mingle, socialise, often sharing a drink at the bar with audience members. Here are just a...

Historically, few horror films have ever excited as much interest as The Wicker Man, which has been the subject of a substantial amount of analysis in the form of essays, books and documentaries. This documentary, however, does something quite different. Made by Justin Hardy and Dominic Hardy, who describe themselves as two of the various spawn of director Robin Hardy, whom he scattered around the world, it explores the personal consequences of the groundbreaking film and, in so doing, provides a new angle on ongoing debates about the way we deal with great art created by messy human beings.

“Why did I want to make The Wicker Man? Why did Ahab want to catch his white whale?” wrote Hardy senior in a letter to Caroline, Justin’s mother, many years after he had abandoned her. Ahab, however, did not draw on his wife’s finances to support his ambition, and his.

The world premiere of Bruce Goodison’s Black Cab starring Nick Frost will open this year’s Grimmfest, a UK horror and sci-fi fantasy festival held in Manchester October 3-6, 2024.

Frost stars in the Shudder title as an erratic cab driver who has no interest in taking the bickering couple he’s just picked up to their destination. Synnøve Karlsen and Luke Norris also star in the film which Sony Pictures Television and Stolen Pictures produce.

Black Cab will screen as part of the festival’s ‘Fear On Four Wheels’ strand which also includes the world premiere of Joey Palmroos...

The 25th edition of Pigeon Shrine FrightFest is set to deliver an exhilarating blend of horror and fantasy films, with the festival moving to a new venue, the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Running from Thursday, 22 August to Monday, 26 August, the event will take over all seven screens at the venue, promising an unforgettable experience for horror enthusiasts.

As we can barely contain the excitement, we’re sharing the films on offer in each screen so you can quickly decide which films to add to your ‘must watch’ list.

Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2024 – Discovery Screen 1 Thursday, 22 August 2024

8:15 Pm – Cinderella’s Curse (World Premiere) Directed by Louisa Warren and starring Kelly Ryan Sanson, Chrissie Wunna, Lauren Budd, and Natasha Tosini, this spine-chilling reimagining of the classic fairytale sees Cinderella summon her fairy godmother from an ancient book to exact bloody revenge on her tormentors.

10:35 Pm – Carnage for Christmas (International Premiere) Directed by Alice Maio Mackay,...

UK-based sales house Unannounced Film Company has boarded international sales on documentary Children Of The Wicker Man for the Cannes Market.

Justin and Dominic Hardy’s film centres around their father Robin Hardy and the making of his 1973 cult horror film The Wicker Man.

Despite being considered one of the greatest films of all time, Hardy’s sons have a complex relationship with the film and the impact it had on their relationship with their father. Along with researcher Chris Nunn, who also directs the documentary, the pair delve into a box of recently discovered production documents from The Wicker Man...

Night Shift: " While working her first night shift at a remote motel, a young woman, Gwen Taylor (Phoebe Tonkin), begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses, Gwen’s isolation and safety, however, are made all the more worse when she starts to realize that the motel might also be haunted."

Writer & Director: The China Brothers (Paul & Ben) Cast: Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris, Madison Hu, Patrick Fischler, Lauren Bowles, Christopher Denham. Producers: Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida, John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, Dennis Rainaldi Runtime: 82 minutes Rated: TV-ma Distributor: Quiver Distribution

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Queer Horror - A Film Guide: "From the beginning, horror has been part of the cinema landscape. Despite some of the earliest genre films with gay directors such as F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu) and James Whale, Lgbtqia characters have rarely been portrayed in full view. For decades, filmmakers have...

Washington University has lost a rising star. Justin Hardy, a basketball player for the St. Louis-based college, passed away early morning on May 29 after spending the last "13 months courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer," his father Bob Hardy shared on Twitter. He was 22. The college sports star was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in April 2021, according to a statement shared on his GoFundMe page. "Justin decided to attack this diagnosis like he would attack a defender on the court," the campaign's description read, adding that the student athlete continued his studies as well as his work as a "major contributor to the Men's Basketball Team at Wash...

Hey, NCIS fans. It's another one of those times again where we have to tell you that your favorite show will be missing in action. This time, CBS is delaying the airing of the next, new episode 17. Instead of it airing on Tuesday night March 19, 2019, it will air on Tuesday night,March 26, 2019. So, be sure to mark down that very important date down on your TV show calendars. What will CBS be airing instead of the new, 17th episode of NCIS season 16 this Tuesday night? According to the TV Guide listings, they will still be airing NCIS. However, it will just be a rerun. The rerun will be the episode that's titled, "Beneath The Surface." It originally aired way back on October 30, 2018. The official description for that repeat episode reads like this, "After NCIS arrives at a Halloween crime scene, Torres recognizes the victim as a former friend from federal law enforcement training.

“Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man”.

Christopher Lee claimed The Wicker Man (1973) was the greatest film he was ever part of. For good reasons, as this is one of the most unusual and original cinematic masterpieces ever brought to screen and an absolute must-see for everybody interested in movies. The unique greatness of The Wicker Man combines elements from a variety of genres; Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Drama, and even Musical, but it cannot really be limited to one particular genre. Scottish police sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is called by an anonymous letter to investigate the disappearance of a young girl on the remote Scottish island Summerisle. Upon his arrival, nobody seems to have ever heard of the girl. The deeply religious Sergeant Howie, however, is shocked to find out that the residents of the island, above all the sophisticated but mysterious Lord Summerisle...

Stick-on sideburns and phoney yokel accents are just two of the problems with this cheap and unconvincing biopic

This attempt to elevate the reputation of Capt Matthew Webb, first man to swim the English Channel, suffers from a visibly stretched budget and a careworn structuring device, flashing back mid-crossing to detail how Webb got his toes wet. Among those dropping by the heritage locations to do Justin Hardy a favour, Steve Oram’s coach provides flickers of cheer, but Warren Brown’s oafish performance ensures a less than winning protagonist, and the supporting cast is awash with stick-on sideburns and phoney yokel accents. Sporadic handheld shots fail to lend a sexy modern edge, merely pointing up how unconvincing it all looks.

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New images also released of the feature centred on the first person to successfully swim the English Channel.

Justin Hardy’s Captain Webb, which tells the story of the first man to successfully swim the English Channel in 1875, is set to be released in cinemas on August 14. Miramax handles worldwide TV distribution.

The film stars Warren Brown (Luther, Good Cop) in the lead role of Captain Webb, whilst Terry Mynott (The Mimic) plays Captain Paul Boyton, Webb’s Us rival who developed a rubber, kayak-like suit for his own crossing attempt.

Steve Oram (Sightseers) assumes the role of Webb’s eccentric trainer Professor Beckwith, whilst Hannah Tointon (The Inbetweeners), Georgia Maguire (Love me till Monday) and Tom Stourton (Horrible Histories) make up the principle cast.

British Sea Power provide the soundtrack.

Hardy said: “Captain Webb is a largely forgotten British hero. He attempted to swim the English Channel when the very idea was seen as beyond impossible...

After premiering at last year’s London Film Festival, Love me till Monday finally makes its way to UK cinemas this week. Directed by TV veteran Justin Hardy, this likeable rom-com owes much to a compelling central performance by Georgia Maguire, in her feature film debut.

The film follows Maguire’s Becky, a gauche graduate looking after her younger brother whilst searching for love in a dead-end office job. Initially she is pining for hunky colleague Him (Royce Pierreson) but when that doesn’t work out she ends up in a relationship with her boss Steve (Tim Plester), who will only date her on weekends.

Though there are some plot elements here that feel generic, Love me till Monday does an excellent job of capturing the reality of post-Uni life, from Becky having moved back in with her mother to the banality of office work. The repeating of certain plot...

★☆☆☆☆The ongoing digital revolution that has released the means of film production into the hands of the recently graduated reaches it's next obvious low point with the release of British director Justin Hardy's Love Me Till Monday (2013). A painful 89 minutes of banality and boredom ensues in this misfiring attempt at understanding the contemporary experience of lowly recent graduates working in McJobs while searching through one night stands for any vague semblance of a meaningful relationship. The film's synopsis outlines a group of twentysomethings who, while on the look out for love, "dance ironically in circles, drink far too much and snog a friend...they eat cheesy chips or cold quiche at 3am."...

London’s biggest film export event returns with a new name and strong selection of upcoming titles.

This year’s London Screenings (June 23-26) marks the 11th edition of the capital’s biggest film export event and has been given a make-over for 2014.

It has dropped the previous title of the London UK Film Focus (Luff) and will introduce various new strands. But organisers are quick to point out this isn’t a case of reinventing the event - more of “buffing it up” after more than a decade.

“Everyone felt that after doing it for 10 years, maybe it was time for a bit of a facelift,” says Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London, which organises the London Screenings.

The budget of around $330,000 is roughly the same as in previous years. The key difference is that the event, which generates an estimated $8m a year in international business for British films and sales agents, has secured...

The Greatest Englishman

"Luther" star Warren Brown is playing the lead role in Justin Hardy's "The Greatest Englishman," a biopic about Captain Matthew Webb who, on August 24th 1875, became the first man to swim the English Channel.

Coated in porpoise oil, Webb battled jellyfish stings and strong currents to reach Calais after 21 hours and 45 minutes - swimming 39 miles in the process. His feat wouldn't be repeated for 36 years. Production on the project just wrapped. [Source: Screen]

Gods of Egypt

Australian model Courtney Eaton, who makes her acting debut in "Mad Max: Fury Road", has landed the female lead in Alex Proyas' "Gods of Egypt" Gerard Butler plays Egyptian god Set who murders his brother Osiris.

Osiris' son Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) tries to avenge his father's death, but fails. He seeks the help of a human thief (Brenton Thwaites) and the slave girl (Courtney Eaton) he's in love with to get his revenge.

Justin Hardy’s feature about the first man to swim the English Channel shot on location in Dover and London.

Warren Brown, best known for roles in TV drama Luther and Neil Jordan’s Byzantium, will next be seen in a new feature about the first man to swim the English Channel.

The Greatest Englishman is the biopic of Captain Matthew Webb, who made the dangerous crossing on August 24, 1875.

Directed by Justin Hardy, the cast also includes Steve Oram (Sightseers) and TV stars Terry Mynott, Hannah Tointon and Tom Stourton.

The soundtrack will be provided by UK band British Sea Power.

Producers for Marathon Films are Jack Fishburn and Muireann Price, recently shortlisted for the Best British Newcomer Award at the 2013 BFI London Film Festival for their debut feature Love me till Monday.

Executive producer is James Salter and the screenplay has been written by Jemma Kennedy.

The film is structured around Webb’s record-breaking achievement, which...

Details have emerged of director Justin Hardy’s feature about the first man to swim the English Channel.

Warren Brown, best known for roles in TV drama Luther and Neil Jordan’s Byzantium, is to star in a new feature about the first man to swim the English Channel.

The Greatest Englishman is the biopic of Captain Matthew Webb, who made the dangerous crossing on August 24, 1875.

Directed by Justin Hardy, the cast also includes Steve Oram (Sightseers) and TV stars Terry Mynott, Hannah Tointon and Tom Stourton.

The soundtrack will be provided by UK band British Sea Power.

Producers for Marathon Films are Jack Fishburn and Muireann Price, recently shortlisted for the Best British Newcomer Award at the 2013 BFI London Film Festival for their debut feature Love me till Monday.

Executive producer is James Salter and the screenplay has been written by Jemma Kennedy.

The film is structured around Webb’s record-breaking achievement, which spanned...

Browse all the sections of the 57th London Film Festival (Oct 9-20) including the galas, competition titles and individual sections.

Alphabetical list of titles by section including feature premiere status

Wp = Wp

Ep = European Premiere

IP = International Premiere

UK = UK Premiere

Gala’s

Opening Night

Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass (Us) Ep

Closing Night

Saving Mr Banks, John Lee Hancock (Us/UK) Ep

Philomena, Stephen Frears (UK) UK12 Years A Slave, Steve Mcqueen (UK) EPGravity, Alfonso Cuaron (Us) UKInside Llewyn Davis, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (Us) UKLabor Day, Jason Reitman (Us) EPThe Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes (UK), EPThe Epic Of Everest, John Noel (UK) WPBlue Is The Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche (France) UKNight Moves, Kelly Reichardt (Us) UKStranger By The Lake, Alain Guiraudie (France) UKDon Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Us) UKMystery Road, Ivan Sen (Australia) UKOnly Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch (Us) UKNebraska, Alexander Payne (Us) UKWe Are The Best!, Lukas Moodysson (Sweden) EPFoosball 3D, Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina...