Folk horror film starring Matt Smith and adapted from lecturer’s acclaimed novel out in cinemas
The highly anticipated film adaptation of a folk horror novel penned by a Manchester Met creative writing lecturer is being rolled out to UK cinemas.
Starring Matt Smith (Dr Who) and Morfydd Clark (Lord of the Rings), Starve Acre, based on Andrew Hurley’s novel of the same name, sees a family’s seemingly idyllic rural life thrown into turmoil when their young son starts acting out of character.
Set in 1970s Yorkshire, Hurley’s novel received glowing literary reviews on its 2019 publication, with the Guardian describing it as ‘a chilling tale’ and Hurley said to have ‘a fine talent for evoking the menace of his northern landscapes’.
The film adaptation received similar positive reviews following its debut screening at last year’s London Film Festival and stars Smith and Clark as Richard and Juliette, the grieving parents of Ewan.
Starve Acre was brought to the big screen by BFI Distribution and will be previewed at Manchester’s HOME today (September 3rd) and rolled out across UK and Irish cinemas from this Friday (September 6th).
Hurley, Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Met’s Manchester Writing School, said: “It’s been a long time coming but I can’t wait for audiences to see Starve Acre. It’s the perfect story for the dark days of the year.”
The plotline sees a sudden, tragic event driving a wedge between the once happy Richard and Juliette, then an unexpected discovery and dark forces offering a disturbing possibility of a reconnection.
Hurley’s novel was adapted for the cinema screen by BAFTA nominee Daniel Kokotajilo, who also directed the film, which was shot last year in rural Yorkshire.
Earlier this year, Hurley spoke to Manchester Met’s MetCast podcast about his experience writing Starve Acre and seeing it come to life for the big screen.
In October he will launch his latest novel Barrowbeck, which follows the success of his Costa-winning debut The Loney and his highly acclaimed second novel Devil’s Day, all of which have cemented his status as a notable writer of modern gothic.
To read the full list of cinemas screening Starve Acre (including special Q&As with Hurley and director Kokotajilo) go to Starve Acre | BFI
To listen to Andrew Hurley’s MetCast interview about Starve Acre go to June 2024 — Making our mark at the box office, meeting the Creative Director of Max Mara, and Monique Roffey’s new novel, Passiontide | Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)
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