Today, on Day One of this important campaign, we are proud to announce that we have been working with Film Director, Rebecca Rose and Swift Rocket Films to premiere an original award-winning independent British short film exploring the aftermath of suicide in a farming family.
WAKE is a film about how a family comes to terms with tragic loss and how they cope both psychologically and practically.
Rebecca Rose, the film’s co-writer and director said: “WAKE raises awareness of the under-reported social issue of mental health and suicide in the seemingly idyllic countryside setting and how simple conversations about feelings can start a process to prevent the downward spiral toward the finality of suicide….”
Starring ‘Gavin and Stacey’ actress Alison Steadman OBE, Poldark’s Mark Frost, Emmerdale’s Louisa Clein and rising star Stuart Campbell, filming completed in January 2022 after which it toured international film festivals in 2022/23 and, today we are making it available through our social media channels as part of this year’s Mind Your Head campaign.
Actress Alison Steadman said: “I really wanted to be part of this special project as it aimed to explore the mental health challenges that many farmers are facing but aren’t often talked about. It isn’t something that many outside the industry are aware of and many within the industry want to acknowledge. I hope this film can encourage more communication within the sector so people don’t have to suffer in silence and can receive support before it’s too late…”
WAKE is beautifully shot in a cinematic style with the highest quality camera equipment from Panavision, creating the feeling this is one chapter of an extensive story that mirrors the complex reality of the subject matter. Stunning wide shots and intimate scenes delivered by exceptionally talented actors has produced a short film drama that conveys an important message.
