This is for the upcoming US DVD release of the multi awarding winning festival film out on the 20th August 2015.
Writer: Joseph Bull, Luke Seomore, Ben Young (Screenplay)
Starring: Jimmy Akingbola, Silas Carson, Daniel Ezra, Francis Magee, Gino Picciano, Chloe Pirrie, Hayley Squires, Barry Ward
Plot: A decade after a catastrophe destroyed his family and their farm, momentous news from home compels an exiled young man to embark upon an intense and surreal journey through the broken and beautiful margins of contemporary Britain.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Brilliant Drama
Story: Blood Cells starts by showing us the effects of the devastating foot and mouth epidemic had on a farm and the farmer who lost his entire live stock. Adam (Ward) who loses his work has to make the decision on whether to return home for his brother’s child being born or he will be forgotten about by his family for good, this shows us something has pushed them apart and this is going to be the last chance to fix things.
As we watch Adam traveling back we see him meet different characters and exchange life stories with a range of people. We also see how Adam is trying to deal with the difficult decision of returning to a place that clearly is filled with bad memories, all the way he is haunted by the memory of a haunting gun shot and what he found.
Blood Cells is a brilliant drama that shows the difficulty people have with dealing personal problems that could easily break up a family. It shows how one man will have to face the people in their life and how they have been effected by their presence. I do think this will be one that shows so much about dealing with the effects of foot and mouth but I do wish we did get more about the effects on his younger character. This does deserve the praise it gets from the festivals. (8/10)
Actor Review
Barry Ward: Adam is the drifter from a farming family who has to decide whether to travel back across England to be with his brother for the birth of his child, he has a haunting moment from his past that has separated him from his family that he must overcome in order to rebuild the bridges he burnt all those years ago. Barry gives a great performance and deserves the praise he is receiving in the festival scene. (9/10)
Support Cast: Blood Cells brings us a range of supporting character that Adam has met through his life, each one has helped him with his final decision on whether to return home.
Director Review: Joseph Bull, Luke Seomore – This directing pair create some very special shots, mixed with brilliant story telling and will definitely be names to look out for in the future. (9/10)
Drama: Blood Cells uses character motives to drive the film as each scene helps our character make the tough decision. (9/10)
Settings: Blood Cells uses each setting perfectly without using anything iconic. (9/10)
Suggestion: Blood Cells is one to be watching because it shows the lasting effects of the foot and mouth epidemic. (Watch)
Best Part: Barry Ward’s performance is brilliant.
Worst Part: Not enough of the original incident.
Believability: It could well be a true effect of what happened because families could easily have been broken up from the problem. (9/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Awards: Won awards from the festival scene including Best British films.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
Overall: Brilliant drama that shows how even a mistake can be recovered from over time.
Rating