Film - Long Forgotten Fields

Long Forgotten Fields will have its World Premiere at Raindance Film Festival this month, where it has been nominated for Best UK Feature Film. Watch the trailer...

Set in the Shropshire countryside, Long Forgotten Fields portrays the devastating effects of war on British soldiers long after they’ve left the battlefield by telling the story of young couple, Sam and Lily. When Sam returns from service in Afghanistan Lily tries to heal their fractured relationship, but her efforts are thwarted by the PTSD that is taking hold of him. Dismissed by friends and family they are pushed into the fringes of their community and Lily is unwillingly drawn into Sam’s post-war world. What follows is an exploration of isolation, loyalty and individual battles as they deal with the hidden consequences of war.

The debut feature film of writer and director Jon Stanford, the film stars up-and-coming actors, including Tom Campion and Rebecca Birch, alongside established talent such as Simon Armstrong (Game of Thrones), Frances Rufelle (Les Miserables) and Paul Sadot (Dead Man’s Shoes).

When asked about his inspiration for the film, Shropshire-born Jon Stanford said,

“The countryside where I grew up is a constant source of inspiration to me and was certainly the starting point for this film. It seemed like the ideal setting for a character driven drama and the perfect backdrop for a romantic narrative. What strikes me whenever I escape London and head back to South Shropshire is the silence and solitude that surrounds you. When I began searching for a dramatic hook for the film, popular media was increasingly discussing the return of service men and women from Afghanistan. It was in these months that I first became aware of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). This mental health disorder, which can affect people from all walks of life who have experienced trauma, manifests itself in a number of different ways, but what struck me most was the sense of isolation and loneliness that many suffers experience. These themes chimed perfectly with the isolation and silence of our countryside setting and provided a real opportunity to explore an illness that affects so many young people. By focusing on one soldier and his return from service, we were able to develop these ideas further and present what I hope is a realistic and truthful representation of this mental health disorder.”

Find out more about the film and book tickets to see it at Raindance Film Festival on 26th and 29th of September here.

Image & Info - Wildgrass Films