UK Film Council (United Kingdom): 8

Directed by James Watkins and written by Jane Goldman, The Woman in Black (2012) is a gothic supernatural horror film. It tells the story of lawyer Arthur Kipps, who is sent to the village of Crythin Gifford in 1889 to retrieve documents from the late owner of Eel Marsh House, Alice Drablow. During his visit, three young girls tragically pass away after seemingly being hypnotized by a mysterious presence. In 1906, Arthur’s wife Stella dies after giving birth to their son Joseph, and four years later he makes his journey to Crythin Gifford. Despite being met with ...

The Guard (2011), a buddy cop comedy from Ireland, is written and directed by John Michael McDonagh. It follows the story of Sergeant Gerry Boyle, an officer with the Garda Síochána in the Connemara district. Boyle is known for his brash and aggressive demeanor, often turning to drugs and alcohol while on duty. However, he also has a softer side and demonstrates care for his sick mother, Eileen. Along with his new colleague Aidan McBride, Boyle is tasked with investigating a murder that seems to be linked to an occult serial killer. During this time, he attends a briefing led by American FBI agent Wendell Everett who ...

The British film Dorian Gray (2009), adapted from Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, was directed by Oliver Parker and written by Toby Finlay. A young and naive Dorian Gray arrives in Victorian London to inherit an estate from his abusive grandfather. There, he is introduced to the lavish lifestyle of the city by the charming Lord Henry “Harry” Wotton. Under Henry’s influence, Gray becomes enamored with the idea of eternal youth and makes a reckless vow to keep his beauty ...

Franklyn (2008) is a British science fantasy film written and directed by Gerald McMorrow as his debut feature. Set in a vivid, comic book-inspired world, it tells the story of Jonathan Preest, the masked vigilante of Meanwhile City. In this city, everyone is required to adopt a religion by law. However, Preest stands out as the only atheist around. When he discovers that his archenemy, The Individual, has abducted a young girl, Preest sets out to find her. But his quest takes an unexpected turn when he is taken into custody by the local authorities. In exchange for his eventual release, they attempt to implant a ...

Sunshine (2007) is a science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. In the year 2057, Earth is facing a crisis as the Sun is nearing its end and causing global freezing. To save humanity, eight international astronauts embark on a mission aboard Icarus II – a spacecraft equipped with a mirrored stellar bomb designed to reignite the dying star. However, as they pass Mercury, they receive a distress signal from Icarus I – a previous attempt that was lost seven years ago. Despite objections from Mace, Physicist ...

28 Weeks Later (2007), a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, follows the story of Don and his wife Alice, along with four other survivors, as they take refuge in a cottage on the outskirts of London during the initial outbreak of the Rage Virus. However, their safety is short-lived when they hear a terrified boy pounding at their door and Don makes the decision to let him in. Unfortunately, this leads to the infected following the boy to their location. Despite Don’s attempt to convince Alice to leave the boy behind, she refuses and he ultimately abandons them, escaping on a boat ...

Notes on a Scandal (2006) is a British psychological drama/thriller directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Robert Fox and Scott Rudin. Based on Zoë Heller’s novel of the same name from 2003, the screenplay was written by Patrick Marber. The story follows Barbara Covett, a London history teacher who has reached retirement age without ever getting married. She holds disdain for her students and colleagues at the ...

Millions (2004) is a British comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle, following the story of Damian, a 9-year-old Catholic boy whose family relocates to Widnes after his mother’s passing. While playing near the train tracks, Damian discovers a bag of money thrown from a passing train. He confides in his brother Anthony, 12, and they discuss their options. While Anthony wants to keep the money for themselves, Damien, known for his kind and religious nature, is inspired by a lecture at school and decides to use his share of the money to help the less fortunate. Throughout the film, Damien carries out various acts ...