Starred Up

Screening: May 13, 2014, 9:30pm

Running Time: 106 minutes

Directed by David Mackenzie

Starring Jack O’Connell, Rupert Friend, and Ben Mendelsohn

Synopsis: 19-year-old Eric (Jack O’Connell, star of the upcoming UNBROKEN), arrogant and ultra-violent, is prematurely transferred to the same adult prison facility as his estranged father (Ben Mendelsohn, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES). As his explosive temper quickly finds him enemies in both prison authorities and fellow inmates — and his already volatile relationship with his father is pushed past breaking point — Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist (Rupert Friend, “Homeland”), who runs an anger management group for prisoners. Torn between gang politics, prison corruption, and a glimmer of something better, Eric finds himself in a fight for his own life, unsure if his own father is there to protect him or join in punishing him. Written by prison system therapist Jonathan Asser, STARRED UP is a merciless, uncompromising portrayal of a dehumanizing life behind bars, and the most accomplished film of David Mackenzie’s career; as father and son, Mendelsohn and O’Connell give extraordinary performances, charting a path that resembles Greek tragedy.

What the Critics Are Saying:

“Powerful and intelligent filmmaking that demands to be seen.”
–Chris Tilly, IGN Movies

“There are no easy answers, or unlikely transformations, just a superbly made, thought-provoking human drama with outstanding performances and just enough hope to carry the day.”
–Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express