THE VIOLATORS

By Helen WALSH

RED UNION FILMS - as PROD

Drama - Completed 2015

Directorial debut of best-selling author Helen Walsh, starring newcomers Lauren McQueen and Brogan Ellis.

Festivals
& Awards

Edinburgh 2015
Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film and Best Performance in a British Feature Film (Nominee)
Karlovy Vary 2015
Independent Camera Award for Best Film (Nominee)
Dinard British FF 2015
Golden Hitchcock Award for Best Film (Nominee)
Gent IFF 2015
EXPLORE Award for Best Film (Nominee)
Tallinn Black Nights IFF 2015
Just Film Award for Best Film (Nominee)
Cinedays Festival of European Film 2015
Golden Star Award for Best Film (Nominee), Silver Star Award for Best Director (Nominee) and Blue Star Award for Best Screenplay (Nominee)
Underwire Festival 2015
Athens Panorama of European Cinema 2015
FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film (Nominee)
    • Year of production
    • 2015
    • Genres
    • Drama, First film
    • Countries
    • UNITED KINGDOM
    • Languages
    • ENGLISH
    • Duration
    • 97 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Helen WALSH
    • Writer(s)
    • Helen WALSH
    • Producer(s)
    • David HUGHES (RED UNION FILMS), David MOORES (RED UNION FILMS)
    • Synopsis
    • After testifying against her abusive father, Shelly (15), finds herself rehoused on a sink estate she can barely call home. A petty thief, Shelly spends her days roaming the estate and docklands in search of opportunities.

      When she attracts the attention of estate loan shark and groomer, Mikey Finnegan (40), Shelly finds herself thrust under the watchful gaze of a mysterious stranger, Rachel (17). As Shelly's relationship with Mikey develops, so does Rachel's fixation with Shelly. The shock-revelation that Shelly's father is to be given early parole forces Shelly to make a decision that will alter the fates of all three of them - forever.

      Set amid the desolate beauty of a post-industrial wasteland, The Violators is a meditation on the meaning of home, and the potency and fragility of young girls' sexuality.