An in-depth exclusive interview with co-writers/co-directors THOMAS & CHARLES GUARD talking the period revenge thriller DEAD SHOT.
Best known for their freshman feature “The Uninvited”, DEAD SHOT is as far away from that as one can get as brothers THOMAS GUARD and CHARLES GUARD adapt Ronan Bennett’s book “Road to Balcombe Street”, taking us into 1975 UK during the heat of The Troubles. Interestingly, with this adaptation, the film shies away from The Troubles itself and instead focuses on how individuals are affected and the cycle of violence that permeates and propels the situation.
A revenge thriller starring Aml Ameen, Colin Morgan, Mark Strong, Felicity Jones, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, DEAD SHOT focuses on the stories of Sergeant Tempest and Michael O’Hara. O’Hara, a former paramilitary, witnesses Tempest kill O’Hara’s pregnant wife. This shooting puts into motion the unfolding story of a man who no longer knows he is once relieved of military duty and another man who just wants to leave the pain of life and loss behind him and start anew. With these two men “lost” and emotionally floundering, they become targets for political manipulation as each is then recruited by opposing forces, setting the stage for a collision course of revenge.
Steeped in period authenticity thanks to the production design of Tom Sayer and costume designer Ellie Wilson, the immersion into time and place is deepened thanks to the work of cinematographer Mattias Rudh.
Listen as Thomas and Charles discuss at length about choosing the Sony Venice Rialto camera, going handheld and shoulder rigging, tonal cinematic influences, casting, score, and more.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 08/18/2023
DEAD SHOT is now available in theatres, on Digital and On Demand.
