NEW MENTAL HEALTH FILM
LAUNCHES THROUGH BFI FILMSTORE

London, UK - September 28, 2010 - An acclaimed mental health drama by debut filmmaker MIKE RYMER has caught the attention of the British Film Institute's Filmstore. Just ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, the DVD, which is endorsed by Samaritans, has been made available for purchase online and in the retail space at BFI Southbank.

'SICK', which examines attitudes towards mental ill health through the relationship between a father and daughter, began life as a graduation film from Newport Film School. It went on to win a host of awards during a two year festival campaign, including being represented by the British High Commission when receiving Malta's prestigious Golden Knight. Now, due to strong demand from educational markets, the DVD is to be used across the country.

The film was awarded finance by The London Borough of Wandsworth, Film London, and the UK Film Council through Screen South, as well as a generous grant from South London and Maudsley Charitable Funds. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is a centre of excellence for mental health and substance misuse services. Samaritans, who advised on the script, endorsed the project on completion in 2007.

Mike Cobb (PR Manager at Samaritans) said:
“’SICK’ is a powerful depiction of how the lives of people everywhere are affected in the long and short term by mental health issues. I thought that the way the film chose to portray links between Brian and Amanda's illnesses was particularly insightful. It is a compelling and moving work that will resonate with its audiences.” (Samaritans' Press Release)

Mike Rymer (Writer/Director of ‘SICK’) said:
"The success of this student film has been a real surprise. I'm delighted with the support it has received from BFI Filmstore. At 15 minutes it is an ideal length to begin or deepen the discussion of mental health with students. It was my aim to tell a story which shone a light on something that is so prevalent, yet which so many people suffer in silence. What I've found is that there is real value in inviting learners to identify with a narrative, so that they arrive at the end with a vicarious experience of its issues, but without feeling like they've done any work."

Note to Editors:
Download high resolution stills here. Many more available on request. The purchase from BFI Filmstore includes a 38 page PDF download of teaching resources, detailing information about the narrative approach and research background. 'SICK' is a 15 minute independent drama and a co-production by EgoProject Films and Patchwork Productions. World Sales are by Dazzle Films. It was produced by Christine Hartland and directed by Mike Rymer from a script that he developed while at Newport Film School. Since completing the film, Mike has been awarded a place on London Film Festival's professional delegate programme (Think-Shoot-Distribute) and received a scholarship from Skillset Screen Academy Wales to observe classes in screen acting at New York University. He is now enrolled on a Post-graduate Diploma in Script Development with the National Film and TV School and The Script Factory.