Carl Roberts 
Doug Rao’s feature-length debut, Dirty Boy, received four nominations and premiered at the 33rd Raindance Film Festival. The trailer is here.
Mystic Dream Story Studio and Stone Hill, in association with Saint Halo Productions, are excited to announce that their psychological cult thriller, DIRTY BOY, is coming to select UK cinemas from 10th September before hitting digital platforms on 15th October.
The film’s theatrical release follows its multi-award-nominated run at Raindance Film Festival, where it was nominated for four awards, including Best Performance in a UK Feature (Graham McTavish), Best UK Feature, Best Director of a UK Feature (Doug Rao) and Best UK Cinematography.
FEATURE LENGTH DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
DIRTY BOY marks Doug Rao’s feature-length directorial debut, which he also wrote and co-produced. The film stars Stan Steinbichler (Zero Chill, Vienna Blood, Eismayer). Susie Porter (Gold, Wentworth Prison, Cargo). Honor Gillies (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) and Graham McTavish (The Witcher, Outlander, The Hobbit). The film was produced by Giles Alderson (The Stranger in Our Bed, Wolves of War, The Dare). Sarah Ann Grill (Slammer, Solitary) and Marek Lichtenberg (The Final 45), who also stars in the film.
PREMISE
Raised in an oppressive cult, a reclusive schizophrenic discovers that the cult leaders are framing him for a series of ritualistic murders. He must prove his innocence by saving their next victim and destroying the evil sect from within.
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
GENESIS, LONDON GALA SCREENING – 7th September
(Cast and Crew Q&A)EDINBURGH SCOTSMAN PICTUREHOUSE – 10th September
(Q&A with Graham McTavish)GLASGOW FILM THEATRE – 11th September
(Q&A with Graham McTavish)PERTH PLAYHOUSE – 12th September
(Q&A with Graham McTavish)ALL IS JOY, SOHO – 29th September
(Cast and Crew Q&A + Networking Event)
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“Dirty Boy was written from a place of intense darkness – and I wanted to find the light and the humour within it. I want to explore the sense that complex understandings are often borne out of suffering. I wanted to experiment with identity as a fluctuating concept – can anyone really define themselves as one persona when there are so many versions of ‘the self’?
Isaac in Dirty Boy has created an ‘alter’ that his subconscious has formed to process forgotten traumas – but which one is really him? As someone says of Isaac’s tendency to blame his alter for his bad behaviour: ‘He’s you, you asshole, he’s you!’ In Dirty Boy, we also explore both the beauty and the villainy that religious doctrine can inspire.
I am delighted with the level of cast I have for my debut feature and getting to work in such a stunning place as the ‘Ausseerland/Saltzkammergut’ in Austria, famously used as a backdrop for The Sound of Music and Spectre adds unbelievable value to the look of the film – a paradisiacal backdrop to a dark fable.”
Critics have raved about the film, with notices like:
“Laughs in the face of horror”- Dread Central
“A last-reel orgy of blood-boltered revenge”- Kim Newman
“Trippy, acid, hella fun in a twisted way”- Cut to the Take
CREDITS
Distribution and Sales: Raven Banner & Firebook Entertainment
Produced By: Mystic Dream Story Studio, Stone Hill & Saint Halo Productions
UK Theatrical Release: 10th September
Digital Platforms: Amazon Prime Video (UK), Apple TV / iTunes (UK), Sky Store, Google TV / YouTube Movies, Rakuten TV
Short Synopsis: Raised in an oppressive cult, a reclusive schizophrenic discovers that he’s being framed by the cult leaders for a series of ritualistic murders and must prove his innocence by saving their next victim and destroying the evil sect from within.
Directed By: Doug Rao
Producers: Giles Alderson, Sarah Ann Grill & Marek Lichtenberg
Cast: Graham McTavish, Susie Porter, Stan Steinbichler, Honor Gillies, Alice Lucy, Ruaridh Aldington & Olivia Chenery
Running Time: 96 Minutes
DIRTY BOY will be coming to UK cinemas from 10th September, followed by Digital platforms on 15th October. Find your local screening here!
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
