* HUTCH DESIGN *

OVERHILL @ THE GENESIS CINEMA THURSDAY 27TH JUNE 2013, 8.30PM

PLUS Q+A HOSTED BY DAVID STUBBS http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/davidstubbs

GENESIS CINEMA, 93-95, MILE END ROAD, WHITECHAPEL, LONDON, E1 4UJ

NEAREST TUBES - WHITECHAPEL or STEPNEY GREEN

£600 debut British movie selected for film festival.

A horror film shot in four days for a budget of only £600 has been selected to be shown at the East End Film Festival.

The film, Overhill, which is about a young woman terrorised in a Cornish village, is the first feature by the London-based partnership of director Will Hutchinson and Leo Whetter. The pair set themselves a challenge of writing, shooting and editing a feature film in two months. The film was shot on location in the Cornish village of Pendeen. Hutchinson’s brother, Ollie, runs the village shop and cast as many local characters as he could. “Some had amateur dramatics experience,” said Hutchinson, “but most had never acted at all. Their performances put many actors to shame, and they give the film a terrific authenticity.” The mayor of the neighbouring town was cast as a sinister vicar, and the aptly named Mr Curnow (Mr Cornwall) plays a creepy pub landlord.

The main role is played by actress, Lorna Beckett. “Without Lorna we’d have been sunk. She acted brilliantly, and did everything we asked. She even offered to throw herself out of a window,” said Hutchinson. “We’re very excited about being selected by the East End Film Festival. It has a great reputation and it shows that an ultra-low budget film can make the grade.”

Overhill was filmed using one digital SLR camera, capable of shooting full HD images. “The cost barrier to making a film has all but disappeared, and with it any excuse for not making a film. We shot Overhill on a consumer grade camera - the Canon 550D,” said Hutchinson. The same, or equivalent, can be purchased for under £500.

The festival describes Overhill as “A taut, impressive debut that mixes social realism with a hint of Straw Dogs.”

The premiere of Overhill will be at the East End Film Festival at the Genesis Cinema, Mile End Road, London on the 27th June. The trailer can be seen at www.overhillmovie.co.uk.