New Trailer For CRUEL SUMMER Turns Up The Intensity

UK filmmakers have made a (deserved) reputation for films that delve into social realism, particularly ones that deal with the lives of the poor and working classes (see Kenneth Loach, Mike Leigh, and Andrea Arnold, to name a few). The latest comes out of Wales, which is seeing a lot of great cinema lately (Gareth Evans to name one), and is titled Cruel Summer.

Danny (Richard Pawulski), a teenager with autism, escapes the inner city for the beautiful countryside as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Little does he know, that bitter Nicholas (Danny Miller from Emmerdale Farm) is hunting him, stemming form a lie created by the enamoured and envious Julia (Natalie Martins) and Calvin (Reece Douglas). As the three close in on Danny, Nicholas' behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and violent, and Julia and Calvin must decide whether to go through with Nicholas' deadly plan.

The fact that the film is inspired by a true story makes this trailer all the more eerie and more than a little horrifying. Kids can be cruel, certainly, especially to those they think of as less than themselves. Director Phillip Escott and Craig Newman have definitely taped into not only long-running themes of British social realism (poverty, boredom) but also newer and more nuanced concerns regarding the developmentally challenged.