STILL

Winner of BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST FEATURE at the prestigious Galway Film Fleadh in 2014

Winner of BEST DIRECTOR at The London Independent Film Festival 2015

Nominated for The Roger Ebert Award for Outstanding debut at the Chicago International Film Festival 2014

Nominated for The Heinrich award for New Directors at The Braunschweig Film Festival 2015

Nominated for The Regle Du Jeu Heartbeat Award at The Dinard Film Festival in 2015

Synopsis

Set in London STILL is a haunting, deeply moving and disturbing film about the journey which, as a parent, we hope we will never have to make. Tom Carver is a man stumbling blindly towards a crossroads in his life, thrown out of focus by the death of his teenage son a year earlier in a car accident. He becomes involved in a feud with a teenage gang after a seemingly harmless collision with a young kid. This feud becomes gradually more disturbing and horrifying as Carver’s life starts to unravel until its painful and shattering climax.

Film Info

Director: Simon Blake

Writer: Simon Blake
Cast: Aidan Gillen, Jonathan Slinger, Amanda

Mealing, Elodie Yung, Sonny Green
Producers: Zorana Piggott – 011 Productions, Colette Delaney-Smith – Blunt Pictures

UK and Irish Distribution: VERVE PICTURES

North American Distributor: FILM MOVEMENT

Sales Agent: REEL SUSPECTS

Film Reviews

“It nails the uncertain atmosphere of a city in flux…Gillen is superb.” Wendy Ide, The Times (UK) ★★★★

“Phenomenal directing…Gripping performances Compelling." Robert Kojder, We Got This Covered ★★★★

“Utterly absorbing…totally engaging...Simon Blake asks hard questions and asks them beautifully. He is one to watch...” Daniel Woburn, Close-Up Film ★★★★

“Gillen's heartfelt performance as a grief ravaged father is the mesmerising centre of STILL.” Allan Hunter, The Express ★★★★

“STILL is one of the most assured pieces of filmmaking I’ve seen in quite some time......Keep an eye on this film maker as STILL promises great things ahead” The Chicagoist

"One of the most surprising, gritty and impressive British films I've seen in a long time." Backseat Mafia

“Stylishly shot and a fine performance from Gillen who plays the troubled lead with a mercurial mix of swagger, self-loathing and self-pity.” Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent(UK) ★★★

“An impressively accomplished first feature, intensely controlled and notable for it’s fine performances Blake draws from his cast. Blake has three projects currently in preparation on the strength of STILL, something to look forward to.” Philip Kemp, Sight & Sound

“Simon Blake’s first full-length directorial feature Still merges portent social realism with menacing psychological thrills in this grim and affecting film” Film Ireland ★★★★

“Blake expertly mixes psycho drama with social realism” Stephen Martin, Irish Post ★★★★

"Fascinating feature debut, a sleek slice of London noir....Blake demonstrates a sharp eye for constructing attractive off centre images and a gift for teasing out strong performances. Very promising stuff." Tara Brady, Irish Times ★★★

“Simon Blake's gritty surprisingly poignant thriller... The cast is uniformly strong across the board and Blake gives each of his major players a stellar showcase” Indie Outlook - Chicago International Film Festival, 6 Films To Remember

Best films at Chicago International Film Festival 2014. Music & Film Defined

"An impressively powerful piece of work, uncomfortable but utterly riveting." Freda Cooper, Talking Pictures ★★★★

“Intelligent, complex and hugely bleak debut from one to watch writer, director Simon Blake. A contemporary revenger’s tragedy which is elevated by superb realistic interplay between Gillen and screen ex Amanda Mealing and evocative use of its North London setting.” Ali Catterall, Total Film ★★★★

“Strong performances and vivid production design buoy up this evocative, troubling film that shows flashes of brilliance from writer/director Simon Blake, making his feature debut”

Karen Krizanovich, Radio Times ★★★

"A moving soundtrack and atmospheric cinematography, director Simon Blake's debut feature is an incredibly powerful film that'll leave you shell shocked for hours afterwards." Emily Elphinstone, No More Work Horse

"A visceral experience that makes you think, and invest in what you are seeing. A creatively inclined project for Blake who cannot be faulted for aptitude and ingenuity….A lot here to be admired." Stefan Pape, HeyUGuys ★★★

“A terrific British Indie Film, shocking, clever and wrong foots you at every turn” Jason Solomons, Movie Talk

“Still is a great film, hypnotic and compelling. This is a film I’d recommend to anyone looking for a drama with a tragic arc, and serious real stakes” Bernardo Villela, The Movie Rat 9/10

“Still manages to pack an emotional punch, it is a slow burning character study of a man consumed by grief, despair and rage” David Watson, Movie Ramblings ★★★

“Still is chiefly a gripping, exceptionally performed drama, anchored by a standout turn from Gillen” Eric Hills, The Movie Waffler ★★★★

“This debut feature from writer-director Simon Blake shows great promise, though it's rather an odd bird, veering between intelligent, insightful chamber drama and Death Wish histrionics. Amanda Mealing contributes a fine performance as the hero's estranged wife; her scenes with Gillen who gives a sensitive performance are the movie's high point.” J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader

"Writer/director Simon Blake's provocative debut feature taps into society's collective fear of young people in a way that will resonate with anyone who has ever lived in a major city" Adam Woodyard, Little White Lies ★★★

Film Festivals

Official Selection - Bahamas International Film Festival 2014 - New Visions
Official Selection - Belfast Film Festival 2015 - New Cinema
Official Selection - Braunschweig International Film Festival 2015 - Der Heinrich (In Competition)
Official Selection - Chicago International Film Festival 2014 - Roger Ebert Award (In Competition)
Official Selection - Cleveland International Film Festival 2015 - World Tour
Official Selection - Dinard British Film Festival 2015 - Features In Preview (In Competition)
Official Selection - East End Film Fesitval 2015 - Gala Screening
Winner - Galway Film Fleadh 2014 - Best International 1st Feature Film
Official Selection - Gent Film Festival 2015 - UK Cinema
Official Selection - Hoboken International Film Fesitval 2015
Winner - London Independent Film Festival 2015 - Best Director
Official Selection - Newport Beach Film Festival - Feature
Official Selection - Palm Beach International Film Festival 2015 - International
Official Selection - Southend on Sea Film Festival 2015 - Closing Gala
Official Selection - Tiburon International Film Festival 2015 - Northern California Premiere