Compelling local drama heavily influenced by British classics

Sustain shows a grieving family attempting to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and a brother discovering just how far he will go to find justice.

The film, which recently had its first screening for the cast and crew,, has been written by director and Walsall college lecturer David Hastings and Cannock actor Brett Dewsbury.

The film takes inspiration from classic British films such as Get Carter, ‘Harry Brown’, ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ and the work of the likes of scriptwriter Jimmy McGovern.

Brett plays Kieran Flank, a mild-mannered young man who is left devastated by the death of his close younger half-brother Toby, played by Joshua Sewell, the victim of a vicious race crime.

Confronted with the shocking reality of recent fatal events, Kieran must come to terms with what has happened, carry on without Toby and rebuild his already fractured relationship with his mother Jayne portrayed by Dawn Butler.

At the same time Toby's killers - the cruel Chad Canton, played by Jay Podmore, the deceptive Roy McKenzie, portrayed by Matthew Kinson, and the psychotic and vicious Kevin McKenzie brought to life by Richard Buck - also walk free, gloating, seemingly untouchable from the law, knowing how to evade the authorities.

Brett, aged 27, said playing heartbroken Kieran, who struggles to come to terms with his brother's death, had been both challenging and enjoyable.

"He's a very complex but interesting character to play. Kieran is very protective of his brother and it's a very close-knit relationship.

"When tragedy strikes, it rips the family apart so it's all about his journey to rebuild his family and his life. The film includes flashbacks so I got to play the light and shade and it's great to delve into the darker side of his character but also have the lighter, funnier moments."

The film, which has been shot at locations in Wolverhampton, Darlaston and Cannock, actually began life as just a two-minute showreel but director Dave said it soon became clear that there was a bigger story to tell.

"We started adding more characters and developing the scripts and we've end up with a two-hour film. I hope it resonates with people. We've seen the number of hate crimes going up around the country so it's very topical," he explains.

Dave describes the finished film as "raw and uncompromising", saying: "I didn't want to shy away from it - there is violence but there is a reason for it.

"I like make people feel uncomfortable and almost like they are being forced to watch. That's why there is a lot of wide shots as I wanted to put the audience in a position where they are watching it happen and they should be doing something to stop it but they are powerless.

"You hear about attacks happening on buses and no one doing anything to try to stop it. I want people watching to question their own moral compass and what they would do in that position."

Producer Troy Dennison paid tribute to the cast and crew saying the film had been a team effort involving plenty of long-days on set.

"It's very much a collaborative project - we had 72 people working on this film and everybody does it for the love of it.

"There are some incredible performances and it's a cracking story. It's a good, gritty, British thriller."

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