Cruel Summer (2016 film)

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Cruel Summer
Directed byPhillip Escott & Craig Newman
Written byPhillip Escott & Craig Newman
Produced by
  • Phillip Escott
  • Craig Newman
  • Sean Langton
Starring
CinematographyLucas Tucknott
Edited byPhillip Escott
Music byJosef Prygodzicz
Production
company
  • 441 Films
Distributed by Solo Releasing
Release dates
  • August 27, 2016 (2016-08-27)(London)
  • February 27, 2018 (2018-02-27)(United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Cruel Summer is a 2016 British horror drama film written and directed by Phillip Escott and Craig Newman in their directorial debuts. It stars Danny Miller, Reece Douglas, Natalie Martins and Richard Pawulski. It premiered at FrightFest on August 27, 2016, and was released in the United States by Wild Eye Releasing on February 27, 2018.

Contents

Premise

Danny, an autistic teenager, is bullied and tormented by a group of thugs after he ventures into the woods alone for a camping trip. Their rage against him is based on lies spread by a local girl, who claims Danny committed a crime that he had nothing to do with.

Cast

Production

Escott and Newman were inspired to write the script for their debut feature after a wave of knife crimes that made headlines around the UK in 2012/2013. [1] The biggest influence however, was the 2004 murder of British teen, Terry Lee Hurst. [2]

The film was shot over ten days on a micro-budget, with the directors self-financing the production. [1]

Critical reception

Matt Boiselle of DreadCentral called the film "unapologetic, unwavering, and uneasy to stomach." [3] Given the shocking nature of the film Bryan Yentz of Rue Morgue questioned, "whether or not Cruel Summer is even necessary, exploitative or both." [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Mount, Paul. "Phillip Escott & Craig Newman – Cruel Summer". StarburstMagazine.com .
  2. Gorman, Howard (August 26, 2016). "FrightFest Interview: Phillip Escott and Craig Newman Talk Cruel Summer". DreadCentral .
  3. "Cruel Summer". DreadCentral . February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  4. "Movie Review: Truth and Tragedy Collide in "Cruel Summer"". RueMorgue . Retrieved February 5, 2016.