Beast

  • 107'
  • United Kingdom
  • 2017

The rough beauty of nature and the suffocating atmosphere of an island community formed the building blocks for the feature debut of Michael Pearce, who set the story on Jersey, the island where he was born.

Moll (27) still lives with her senile father and her dominant mother, who belittles her and keeps her on a short leash. When she runs into the lawless poacher Pascal, she sees stars – to the predictable dismay of her affluent family.

Moll’s sexuality blossoms belatedly and is combined in Beast with a darker thriller element: the island is obsessed by a series of unsolved murders of young women and the police has set its sights on Pascal. Moll is unswerving in her loyalty; her love for the outcast is her armour against the interference of the community. The fact that they both carry a secret with them strengthens their bond.

The irresistible teamwork of newcomers Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn is a great bonus in this film, which surprises time and again.

  
  • 107'
  • United Kingdom
  • 2017
Director
Michael Pearce
Country of production
United Kingdom
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
107'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producers
Kristian Brodie / Agile Films, Ivana MacKinnon, Lauren Dark
Production Companies
Agile Films, Stray Bear Productions
Sales
Protagonist Pictures
Screenplay
Michael Pearce
Cinematography
Benjamin Kracun
Editor
Maya Maffioli
Production Design
Laura Ellis-Cricks
Sound Design
Gunnar Óskarsson
Music
Jim Williams
Cast
Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Trystan Gravelle, Geraldine James, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Olwen Fouere, Shannon Tarbet
Local Distributor
Cherry Pickers
Website
http://michael-pearce.com/beast.html
Director
Michael Pearce
Country of production
United Kingdom
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
107'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producers
Kristian Brodie / Agile Films, Ivana MacKinnon, Lauren Dark
Production Companies
Agile Films, Stray Bear Productions
Sales
Protagonist Pictures
Screenplay
Michael Pearce
Cinematography
Benjamin Kracun
Editor
Maya Maffioli
Production Design
Laura Ellis-Cricks
Sound Design
Gunnar Óskarsson
Music
Jim Williams
Cast
Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Trystan Gravelle, Geraldine James, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Olwen Fouere, Shannon Tarbet
Local Distributor
Cherry Pickers
Website
http://michael-pearce.com/beast.html

Programme IFFR 2018

Limelight

Avant-premieres of some of the cinematic highlights of the year: international award-winners and festival favourites that will be released in Dutch cinemas after IFFR.

Read more about this programme