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Maryland

Lucy Kirkwood’s Maryland takes us to the dark heart of male violence against women but manages to do so with humour and wit. An outstanding cast explores an urgent issue.

Maryland began life as a stage play at the Royal Court in 2021. It was described by writer Lucy Kirkwood as a 'howl' of rage against male violence, written over 48 hours following the violent, high-profile murders of several women in 2020/21. After its first performance, acclaimed documentary maker and director Brian Hill worked with Lucy to bring the script to life for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Lucy has adapted the stage play into a screenplay, and the production features an outstanding cast, including Daniel Mays, Zawe Ashton and Hayley Squires. Whilst dealing with a very dark and difficult subject, Maryland has flashes of wit and humour that make it a compelling watch.

Zawe Ashton and Hayley Squires play the lead roles of two women, both named Mary, who meet at a police station in the aftermath of their respective sexual assaults. Guiding them through this world is PC Moody and his colleague PC Eddowes. They are supported by a cast of Furies, similar to a Greek chorus, who rail against the injustices the women face, both in the events of the play and in the wider world.

The film is shot in a heightened, dramatic and stylised way, alluding to its roots in the theatre.

24 minutes

Last on

Wed 20 Jul 2022 22:05

Clip

Credits

Role Contributor
Mary Zawe Ashton
Mary Hayley Squires
PC Moody Daniel Mays
PC Eddowes Justine Mitchell
Producer Caroline Levy
Director Brian Hill
Director Lucy Kirkwood
Executive Producer Vicky Featherstone
Executive Producer Lucy Morrison
Executive Producer Suzy Klein
Executive Producer Rose Garnett
Production Company Century Films Ltd

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