The trailer has been released for British action thriller, Jackdaw, the debut feature film from North East writer/director, Jamie Childs.
Shot in Hartlepool and the Tees Valley, it stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man, Emily, The Haunting of Hill House) in the title role, alongside Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who, The Sandman, Victoria), Thomas Turgoose (Creation Stories, The Gallows Pole, This is England) and Rory McCann (Game of Thrones).
“We see so many American films set in atmospheric towns that don’t tie themselves to local, kitchen-sink stories. I thought, why don’t we do this in Britain?” explained Childs (The Sandman, Willow, His Dark Materials).
“We set out to push the envelope of what was possible stylistically and tonally in our region. Its clash of pastoral and industrial worlds is the perfect setting for an exciting, pulpy chase thriller. I wanted to prove to an up-and-coming wave of potential filmmakers that we can take advantage of what’s right on our doorstep and still appeal to an international audience. I’d like to thank North East Screen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority for helping us make this all possible.”
The production also used The Northern Film and TV Studios, the North East’s only large-scale film and TV production facility.
It received “significant investment” from The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and the North East Production Fund, delivered by regional screen agency North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), as part of their ambitious plans to make the region one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs.
“We have exceptional world class talent, amazingly diverse stunning locations and extremely experienced crew here in the North East. Supporting Jamie’s feature film debut as a writer-director via the North East Production Fund was a straightforward decision,” added Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director for North East Screen.
The film is set over the course of a single night, as Jack Dawson, a former motocross champion and army veteran, returns to his hometown to care of his brother after their mother dies.
Hoping to start a new life, he takes what could be a life-changing job for an old school friend turned local criminal, Silas. What should have been a straightforward pick-up of a package in the North Sea turns into a nightmare when Jack is double-crossed, and his brother is kidnapped. As he fights for survival and searches for answers, Jack encounters friends and adversaries old and new across a violent night-time odyssey through England’s Northern rust belt.
“Jamie is a fantastic example of another homegrown talent taking huge strides on the global stage. It’s wonderful to have him back on his home patch with Jackdaw,” stated Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.
“This is yet another fantastic chance for us to showcase ourselves as a filming and production capital, with our big investment into the industry already reaping rewards. There truly has never been a better time for local people to get into the film industry – not just for writers and directors, but for engineers, costume makers and technicians. Our cash is helping get us onto screens and in front of people across the UK and Jackdaw is another wonderful example of that, and I can’t wait for the premiere!”
Jackdaw is produced by Sebastian Raybaud (Greenland, Canary Black), Callum Grant (Cleaner), Kate Glover (47 Meters Down, Black Mirror) and Jamie Childs. Childs directs alongside his regular DOP Will Baldy (The Sandman, Willow).
Vertigo Releasing has announced that it will have a nationwide release on 26th January.
