Marc Zammit’s Aptitude Films has announced that their remarkable new British independent feature film HOMELESS ASHES will have its UK Premiere at this year’s prestigious Film Festival RAINDANCE on Monday 23rd September at 21.15 at the Vue Cinema London – Piccadilly.
London-born actor Marc Zammit, making his directorial debut with HOMELESS ASHES – a film which shines a light on homelessness and gives homeless people a voice – says: “We are honoured to be part of this world-renowned independent film festival. I am so proud of all the cast and crew who did such epic work for this film by going above and beyond. We have achieved so much over the last four years and I am seriously forever grateful. They believed in my film and trusted in me, and joined me on my journey to make this story of one homeless boy. Each person living homeless has a story and deserves to be heard. They are homeless, not invisible. I met many of them living on the streets of London whilst researching for this film. It is dedicated to them. I am so proud of all the cast, crew and supporters who have done such epic work for this film by going above and beyond to tell this story.”
If you haven’t yet seen the first trailer and poster for the emotional film, HOMELESS ASHES, then you can take a look at the footage in the video player below.  Please be advised that the trailer does contain some disturbing images.
Frankie (Hector Bateman-Harden) is a young boy who stands up to his fear and runs away from an abusive home only to grow-up trying to survive on the streets.
After fleeing from his parents Stuart (Dean Maskell) and Abbie (Angela Dixon), he falls-in with junkies including Viv (Kirsty J. Curtis) and Ryan (Lee Hunter), makes honest friends in Gavin (Jason Flemyng) and Chico (Lew Temple), meets others including veteran Al (Ritchi Edwards) and immigrant Eva (Madalina Bellariu Ion) and is reunited with childhood friend Nicole (Jamey May). But living on the streets takes it toll and not everyone survives the experience.
The film stars Marc Zammit, Jason Flemyng, Lew Temple, Andrew Lee Potts, Angela Dixon, Jamey May, Hector Bateman-Harden, Maria Howell, Kirsty J. Curtis, Lee Hunter, Ritchi Edwards and Madalina Bellariu Ion.
In the director’s chair for this one is Marc Zammit, who is also starring in the film. Marc Zammit lives and grew-up in London, has been acting for 15 years and appeared in high profile UK TV dramas such as The Bill, Law and Order, After You’ve Gone and Silent Witness. He took his first leap into film starring in the award-winning indie feature film “Pandorica”. Zammit fell in love with the idea of making his own feature films to tell stories that really connect and matter and started film production company, Aptitude Films.
With many of the characters and scenarios adapted from true stories of homelessness relayed to him during his research for the film, Zammit’s debut feature has taken 4 years of hard work to complete.
On the film, which was aided by an impressive crowd-funding campaign which raised over £100,000, Zammit commented,
“I am so proud of all the cast and crew and backers who have done such epic work for this film by going above and beyond.”
“Each person living homeless has a story and deserves to be heard. They are homeless but not invisible and I believe this film will connect with audiences worldwide. I met many homeless people, living on the streets of London whilst researching for this film and I dedicate it to them.”
What do you think of the movie premiering at the Raindance Film Festival? Will you be watching it? As always, we like to know what you think, so let us know your thoughts below, tweet us @filmandtvnow or leave a comment on our Facebook page.
Homeless Ashes is currently being submitted to international film festivals.
