Creditors (2015 film)

2015 British film

Creditors

Directed by| Ben Cura
Screenplay by| Ben Cura
Based on| Creditors
by August Strindberg
Produced by| Ben Cura
Andrea Deck
Starring| Christian McKay
Andrea Deck
Ben Cura
Tom Bateman
Simon Callow
Cinematography| Ben Hecking
Edited by| Teresa Font
Music by| Nina Aranda

Production
companies

Tough Dance
Cuibar Productions

Release date

* 31 October 2015 (2015-10-31) (NIFF)

Running time

| 81 minutes
Country| United Kingdom
Language| English

Creditors is a British[1][2] drama film written and directed by Ben Cura, based on the play of the same title by August Strindberg and starring Christian McKay, Andrea Deck, Ben Cura, Tom Bateman and Simon Callow.[3][4] Set in present-day England and Spain in this adaptation, it had its world premiere at the 2015 Nordic International Film Festival in New York City as part of the festival's Official Selection, where it was nominated for and was awarded the Honorable Mention for Best Nordic Narrative Feature.[3][5] The film was a United Kingdom production by London-based company Tough Dance, founded by Ben Cura and Andrea Deck.[6][7] Spanish company Cuibar Productions financed the film.[8] Paris-based sales agents New Morning Films took on world sales of the film in early 2015.[9][10][11] The film is actor Ben Cura's debut as a director, screenwriter, and producer.[12]

## Summary

[edit]

A love triangle is unraveled when a young painter is approached by an admirer who eases him into making sense of his relationship with his wife.[13]

## Cast

[edit]

* Christian McKay as Grant Pierce[14]
* Andrea Deck as Chloe Fleury[15]
* Ben Cura as Freddie Lynch[16]
* Tom Bateman as Michael Redmane
* Simon Callow as John Allen

## Production

[edit]

Ben Cura and Andrea Deck of London-based Tough Dance produced the film.[1]

### Filming

[edit]

Filming began in September 2013. In a change of setting from the original Sweden of the play, the film was shot in Osea Island, Essex, England,[17][18][19] and consequently, Madrid, Spain.[20]

## Reception

[edit]

Creditors world-premiered at the Nordic International Film Festival in New York City on 31 October 2015.[21][22] Latin Post film critic David Salazar called the film "A triumphant debut"[23] noting of the three lead actors that "the trio delivers masterful performances", calling the flashback sequences "what a Terrence Malick film would look like in black and white", and that the film "has shown that Cura has a tremendous future as a visual storyteller, his ability to deliver a strong performance coupled with a compelling film based on the work of a famed writer a truly remarkable feat".

Blazing Minds film critic Susanne Hodder said of the actors that "all give compelling performances, bringing their characters to life and giving them depth" and concluded her review saying that "Creditors is an intelligent thought-provoking film which questions gender roles, female sexuality and male anxieties, making for an enjoyable and compelling watch."[24]

Screen Relish film critic Stuie Greenfield highlighted the script structure and striking visuals by saying that "Elongated scenes provide beautiful imagery and vignettes of the Spanish landscape that are interspersed with a clever and well-developed script. These long, meaningful scenes bring with them an almost arthouse styling that adds to the charisma and allure of Cura's magnetic film." He concluded that "Creditors is a beautiful, sometimes angry and surprising film that brings with it strong performances from the entire cast as well as an unexpected yet welcome twist. Cura has produced, written and directed a piece of film that he should be very proud of, and one that demonstrates an incredible aptitude for intense, thought-provoking cinema. He is one to watch out for, as is Creditors."[25]

Movie Marker film critic Darryl Griffiths said of the film "The initial intended seclusion and comfort of its setting is impeccably skewered and realised by director/star Cura, gradually feeding into the sinister, slow-burner tone along with the immersive, minimalist score. From the exquisitely steady aerial shots to the jarring fast-motion captures of Madrid, to the beautifully observed silence that fills the revealing flashbacks, the film's conversion to screen thrillingly avoids the stilted, laboured approach that so often befalls such works." He added of Andrea Deck, Ben Cura and Christian McKay "Reveling in the femme fatale tendencies of her character as she embraces the classic film noir archetype, Andrea Deck's Chloe exudes an explosive elegance whom thrives on independence and attention. Ultimately adding a compelling dimension to the powerful prose that leaves the mouths of Cura and McKay respectively. Whilst both provide distinct full-bodied performances individually, together they are terrific in conveying the theatrics of its source." Griffiths concluded his review saying that "The heightened melodrama of its brilliantly staged finale may be of acquired taste. Yet for a directorial debut, Creditors is an incisive and accomplished piece of filmmaking that defies such a tag, possessing a rich, powerful psychology that instills an unnerving modern-day relevance to age-old material."[26]

Creditors screened in competition at the 2015 Anchorage International Film Festival in Alaska to further press, media, and festival audiences.[27][28] It was followed by screenings at the Borrego Springs Film Festival, the Berlin Independent Film Festival, the Big Muddy Film Festival, and the Queens World Film Festival.

The film also screened at the Borrego Springs Film Festival, the Berlin Independent Film Festival, the Big Muddy Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Festival, the Queens World Film Festival, the Palm Beach International Film Festival, the Houston WorldFest, the Madrid International Film Festival and the Cebu International Film Festival, winning many awards and accolades along the way.[29]

As of 29 October 2016, the film has been made available to watch on exclusive on demand platform Flix Premiere in the US, and will be made available in other territories in the months following its USA release.[30]

## Awards

[edit]

Year[31] | Festival/Publication  | Award  | Notes

|
|
|

2015 | Nordic International Film Festival | Best Nordic Narrative Feature (Honorable Mention) | Winner
2015 | indieFEST Film Awards | Award of Excellence Feature Film | Winner
2015 | indieFEST Film Awards | Award of Excellence Leading Actor (Christian McKay) | Winner
2015 | indieFEST Film Awards | Award of Excellence Leading Actor (Ben Cura) | Winner
2015 | indieFEST Film Awards | Award of Excellence Leading Actress (Andrea Deck) | Winner
2015 | NYC Indie Film Awards | Diamond Award Best Feature Film | Winner
2015 | NYC Indie Film Awards | Diamond Award Cinematography (Ben Hecking) | Winner
2015 | NYC Indie Film Awards | Gold Award Editing (Teresa Font) | Winner
2016 | Accolade Global Film Competition | Award of Excellence Cinematography (Ben Hecking) | Winner
2016 | Accolade Global Film Competition | Award of Merit Special Mention Editing (Teresa Font) | Winner
2016 | Accolade Global Film Competition | Award of Merit Special Mention Original Score (Nina Aranda) | Winner
2016 | Accolade Global Film Competition | Award of Merit Special Mention Script / Writer (Ben Cura) | Winner
2016 | Accolade Global Film Competition | Award of Merit Special Mention Feature Film | Winner
2016 | Los Angeles Film Review Independent Awards | Gold Award Feature Film | Winner
2016 | Worldfest Houston Film Festival | Silver Remi Experimental Dogma Feature | Winner
2016 | Mexico International Film Festival | Silver Award Best Feature Film | Winner
2016 | Mexico International Film Festival | Silver Award First Time Filmmaker (Ben Cura) | Winner
2016 | Madrid International Film Festival | Best Editing in a Feature Film (Teresa Font) | Winner
2015 | Anchorage International Film Festival | Best Feature Film (In Competition) | Nominated
2016 | Borrego Springs Film Festival | Best Feature Film (In Competition) | Nominated
2016 | Berlin Independent Film Festival | Best Feature Film (In Competition) | Nominated
2016 | Queens World Film Festival | Best Cinematography (Ben Hecking) | Nominated
2016 | Madrid International Film Festival | Best Leading Actress (Andrea Deck) | Nominated
2016 | Madrid International Film Festival | Talented New Director (Ben Cura) | Nominated
2016 | Madrid International Film Festival | Best Cinematography (Ben Hecking) | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "British Council Film: Creditors". Britishcouncil.org.
2. ^ "UK Films For Sale : Cannes 2015" (PDF). Bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
3. ^ a b "Writer/Director Ben Cura's UK Love-Triangle Feature Film "CREDITORS" World Premiering at NYC's NIFF2015, October 31st at 6:45 pm". Filmcourage.com. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
4. ^ "Your chance to star in film alongside Simon Callow on Osea Island". Gazette-news.co.uk. 27 September 2013.
5. ^ "Official Selection 2015". Nordic International Film Festival.
6. ^ "Tough Dance [gb]". IMDb.com.
7. ^ "About & Contact". Tough Dance. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
8. ^ "→Productions". Cuibar. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
9. ^ Fabien Lemercier (13 May 2015). "French sales agents looking to catch the best wave". Cineuropa.org.
10. ^ "Home". Newmorningfilms.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
11. ^ "Creditors". Tough Dance. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015.
12. ^ Post, Latinos (24 September 2013). "Exclusive Interview: Ben Cura Talks Directorial Debut 'Creditors,' Artistic Development, Inspirations [Video]". Latinospost.com.
13. ^ "Project of the Day: 'Creditors'". Indiewire.com. 20 March 2014.
14. ^ "Quick Fire Questions: This Week Christian McKay - The Bearded Trio". Thebeardedtrio.com. 20 October 2013.
15. ^ "Quick Fire Questions: This Week Andrea Deck - The Bearded Trio". Thebeardedtrio.com. 27 October 2013.
16. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Q & A With 'Creditors' Director Ben Cura on Status of Production; Film Stars Director, Simon Callow, Christian McKay, Andrea Deck". Latinpost.com. 23 April 2014.
17. ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
18. ^ "Your chance to star in film alongside Simon Callow on Osea Island". Gazette-news.co.uk. 27 September 2013.
19. ^ "Music & Film". Oseaisland.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
20. ^ "I Think An Actor, Director, Writer or Anyone Creative's Most Important Attribute is Gut Instinct by CREDITORS Movie Ben Cura". Filmcourage.com. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
21. ^ Jamie Ellin Forbes (22 October 2015). "Fine Art Magazine Blog". Fineartmagazineblog.blogspot.co.uk.
22. ^ "Nordic International Film Festival 2015". Um.dk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
23. ^ "'Creditors' Movie Review: Ben Cura Creates a Visually Stimulating Adaptation of Strindberg's Great Play". 6 November 2015.
24. ^ Hodder, Susanne (8 November 2015). "Creditors Movie Review – Intelligent Thought-Provoking". Blazingminds.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
25. ^ "CREDITORS Review | ScreenRelish". Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
26. ^ "MM Supports – Creditors (Ben Cura)". Moviemarker.co.uk. 16 November 2015.
27. ^ "2015 Anchorage International Film Festival Lineup; Opens with "Eadweard" - VIMOOZ". Vimooz.com. 18 October 2015.
28. ^ "Home | Anchorage International Film Festival". Anchoragefilmfestival.org. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
29. ^ "Creditors". Wipmedia.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
30. ^ "Creditors". Creditorsfilm.com.
31. ^ "Creditors". Creditorsfilm.com.

## External links

[edit]

* Creditors at IMDb
* British Council Film
* Official Website
* Official Facebook Page
* Official Twitter Page

* v
* t
* e

August Strindberg

* Bibliography
* Paintings

Drama works|

* The Outlaw
* Master Olof
* The Father
* Miss Julie
* Creditors
* Pariah
* The Stronger
* To Damascus
* Easter
* The Dance of Death
* A Dream Play
* The Ghost Sonata
* The Great Highway

Prose works|

* The Red Room
* Getting Married
* The Son of a Servant
* The People of Hemsö
* The Defence of a Fool
* Inferno
* Alone

Social criticism|

* August Strindberg's Little Catechism for the Underclass

Paintings|

* List of paintings
* The Town (1903)

Adaptations|

| Miss Julie|

* The Sin of Julia
* 1951 film
* Rorem opera
* Alwyn opera
* 1999 film
* After Miss Julie
* Julie
* 2014 film

|

Others|

* The Stronger
* Karin Månsdotter
* Play Strindberg
* Pita
* Dance of Death
* Dreamplay
* Katha Sagar

Related|

* Siri von Essen (first wife)
* Frida Uhl (second wife)
* Harriet Bosse (third wife)
* Karin Smirnov (daughter)
* Strindbergs Intima Teater
* Strindberg Museum
* Strindbergmuseum Saxen
* August Strindberg Repertory Theatre

Researchers|

* Martin Lamm
* John Landquist
* Gunnar Brandell
* Sven Stolpe
* Olof Lagercrantz
* Gunnar Ollén
* Jan Myrdal
* Lars Dahlbäck
* Kerstin Dahlbäck
* Egil Törnqvist
* Ulf Olsson
* Alice Rasmussen

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template