Kris Hitchen (Ken Loach‘s “Sorry We Missed You”) and George Osborne (“The Pendragon Cycle”) are set to lead the cast of “Contact Hours,” a short film addressing the issue of student suicide.
The psychological drama follows a university caretaker whose life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers one of his students has been missing for days. As he investigates, he finds himself confronting a tragedy that prompts him to reevaluate his relationship with his own son.
Harry Richards, known for his short “Santi,” which screened at the BFI Future Film Festival 2022, will direct and produce. Liam Wallace-Cook (“Big Deal”) joins as co-producer.
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The screenplay, penned by Offie-nominated playwright Rufus Love, was inspired by a real-life encounter with a university caretaker who resigned after discovering a student who had died by suicide. Love and Richards, who collectively knew six students at their university who died by suicide, were moved to bring this story to the screen.
Filming for “Contact Hours” is scheduled to begin in Hertfordshire, U.K. at the end of July, with a release planned for the fall.
Richards said, “It’s a privilege to be leading such a passionate and talented team to put this moving story on screen.”
“In developing this film, we’ve had the opportunity to meet many people who have been personally impacted by suicide or work to prevent it,” Love added. “This film is a tribute to all those we have lost to suicide and a prayer that those struggling at the moment will stay with us.”
Hitchen said: “I’m delighted to be joining this important film. Harry and Rufus have clearly put a lot of thought into it, which will no doubt show in the finished product.”
Added Osborne, “After my first read of the script, I knew this was a powerful project that I had to be involved with. I’m excited to bring this concept to life and raise awareness around suicide.”
“Contact Hours” is part of an expanding slate of projects in development by U.K. production companies Headrush Films and Blend Films. Among their prominent upcoming titles are:
“Yamas!” – A feature-length comedy drama written by Love and to be directed by Richards. Adapted from Love’s play, the story unfolds during a Greek holiday that takes a chaotic turn when a family member disappears and a refugee from a local processing center is found living in the outhouse. The film promises to test liberal values and push relationships to their limits.
“Santi” – A feature-length adaptation of Richards’ short. Set between the U.K. and Colombia, the film explores the journey of a young Colombian man struggling with his identity and sexuality as he navigates a relationship with his British girlfriend and a passionate affair with a gay Colombian man. Richards is set to write and direct, with Colombian production company Mnesia Films co-developing the project.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide/resources. U.K. resources available here.
