In December 2008, MySpace and Vertigo Films announced innovative plans to release Faintheart – the world’s first user-generated feature film, which was the closing gala screening at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, simultaneously and free of charge for one day only, in 150 cinemas and streamed on MySpace, at 6.30pm on Tuesday 27th January. Faintheart will then be available to buy on DVD from Monday 2nd February 2009.

The screenings are free, you can either go to the MySpace page to register or email screening@vertigofilms.com to get your name on the RSVP list. Details of where you can see the film can be found at the bottom of this page. The film is a 12A certificate, so you might want to book a babysitter if you’re a parent.

Faintheart is the result of MyMovieMashUp, the ground-breaking initiative by MySpace, Vertigo Films and Film4. MyMovieMashUp sought to harness the collective creativity of the world’s largest online community in making the world’s first fully user generated feature film, giving UK MySpace users the opportunity to play an integral part in every stage of the film-making process from directing the film, to joining the cast, submitting music for the soundtrack (which was supervised by a certain Mr. Lol Hammond and is available now through EMI), or being part of the production crew.

Set in the world of battle re-enactments, Faintheart charts the epic quest of Viking Warrior Readmund the Just, aka Richard the sales assistant (Eddie Marsan), as he attempts to win back the love of his long suffering wife Cath (Jessica Hynes/nee Stevenson) and son Martin (Joseph Hamilton). Tired of Richard’s all-consuming obsession with his Iron-Age alter ego, Cath kicks him out of their home and into the real world. His honour is put in further peril when Cath begins seeing Martin’s PE teacher Gary (played by Eastenders’ Paul Nicholls). Realising he must finally face up to the challenges of the present day and fatherly responsibility, Richard enlists the help of best friend and ‘Trekkie’, Julian (Ewen Bremner). Together with Julian and a merry band of assorted geeks known as the ‘Bloody Broadswords’, Richard must summon all of his Norse courage to discover the real warrior within and prepare for his greatest ever battle.

Vito Rocco, who was selected by the MySpace community, made his feature debut as director. Eddie Marsan (Hancock, Miami Vice) leads an ensemble cast that includes: Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting), Jessica Hynes (Harry Potter & The Order of The Phoenix), Paul Nicholls (“Eastenders”), Bronagh Gallagher (Pulp Fiction, The Commitments), Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen Pet), and Anne Reid (The Mother, Bleak House).

Doomsday Child

Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from Lol,  The Big Chill’s in-house movie mogul, who dons a bandana and plays guitar in the goth band ‘Doomsday Child” (fronted by the legendary Ed Tudor Pole).

Cinemas screening Faintheart…

London

Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave
Cineworld Wandsworth
Cineworld West India Quay
Odeon Whiteley’s
Vue Finchley Road
Vue Greenwich
Vue Harrow
Vue Islington
Cineworld Enfield
Cineworld Harlow
Vue Purley Way Croydon
Vue Watford
Showcase Bluewater Greenhithe

South

Cineworld Brighton Brighton
Vue Portsmouth Portsmouth

Anglia

Cineworld Milton Keynes
Cineworld Stevenage
Odeon Chelmsford
Odeon Southend

Central

Cineworld Broad Street Birmingham
Cineworld Nottingham
Cineworld Solihull
Cineworld Wolverhampton
Vue Star City Birmingham
Showcase Derby
Showcase Leicester
Showcase Walsall

Harlech

Cineworld Cardiff
Showcase Bristol

Granada

Cineworld Liverpool
Cineworld St Helens
Odeon Manchester
Vue Preston
Vue Southport
Empire Wigan

Yorkshire & North East

Cineworld Boldon
Cineworld Bradford
Cineworld Middlesborough
Cineworld Wakefield
Vue Hull
Vue Leeds Light
Showcase Teeside Stockton

Scotland

Cineworld Edinburgh
Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew

Tags: faintheart, lol hammond, myspace, vertigo films

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