Attrition, writer-director Kelly Holmes’ (MFA Advanced Film Practice, Edinburgh Napier) new short film set in the British trenches during World War One has recently been completed. The film is supported by Creative England via the BFI Network and France Télévisions and will be shown on France 3 on November 9th as part of the network’s commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.
Attrition follows the plight of a young solider, Private Edwin Childs (Lewis MacKinnon). Along with the rest of his platoon, Edwin fears that a gas attack is imminent. During a terrifying night stranded in No Man’s Land along with a wounded German soldier, Edwin’s secret is revealed – he can heal the wounded – but in return, he must sacrifice something of himself. As the gas attack begins, how much is Edwin willing to give of himself, in the ultimate act of compassion towards his fellow men?
Attrition is created by writer-director Kelly Holmes, whose previous films include Dolls, The Grab and Family Portrait, which screened at many festivals including London Short Film Festival and Glasgow, won the Paris Courts Devant Award and which to date has been broadcast three times on national French television channel France 3.
Kelly Holmes says ‘Attrition is a period film exploring universal ideas – humanity, vulnerability and compassion – within the intense setting of a trench under a gas attack. I was thrilled to work with such a strong cast and crew’.
Cast includes Lewis MacKinnon (Victoria) Jack Roth (Britannia) Edward Hogg (Taboo), Jack Parry-Jones (Moon Dogs).
Director of Photography is Alan McLaughlin (Isolani) previous winner of BAFTA New Talent Award for Lost Serenity and the Editor is Lucas Roche known for his work with director Shane Meadows. The film is cast by Simone Pereira Hind, (Outlander, Welcome to Sarajevo). The film features a new score by Eric Pilavian whose previous work includes Family Portrait by Kelly Holmes, with a final sound mix by BAFTA-winning dubbing mixer Karl Mainzer (David Bowie: Five Years) and grade by colourist Joseph Bicknell of Cheat.
Attrition is produced by Anne Beresford (Artemisia Films) and Charles Paviot (Arts Premiers). Anne and Charles bring many years’ experience as producers. Anne’s credits include Antarctica: The First Dance (Channel 4), Shakespeare Shorts (Sundance, BFI London Film Festival), stage-to-screen films such as Maxine Peake as Hamlet and the feature film Mouth to Mouth with Ellen Page.
Charles Paviot is known for his award-winning shorts in France including D’Apres une Histoire Vraie, Cathatsis, Skin, Bug, Braquage Serenade and 505g as well as producing commercials for Shiseido, Chanel, L’Oreal, Volkswagen and others. He produced feature film Un Soir au Club and line produced Two Days in Paris starring Julie Delpy and Adam Goldberg. He line produced the French part of The Time of their Lives starring Joan Collins and Pauline Collins. Charles and Kelly previously worked together on Family Portrait.
Attrition was made with the support of Creative England via the BFI Network, with the participation of France 3, and with the support of Reel Issues Films, Cheat and Rhona Jackson.