‘Starve Acre: Acclaimed Folk Horror Film, Featuring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark, Secures North American Distribution with Brainstorm Media

Following a successful premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, the brooding and atmospheric folk horror film ‘Starve Acre’ has found its North American distributor in Brainstorm Media.

The film stars Matt Smith, known for his roles in ‘His House’ and ‘Morbius,’ and Morfydd Clark, renowned for her performance in ‘Saint Maud.’ ‘Starve Acre’ is both written and directed by Daniel Kokotajlo, adapted from the book by Andrew Michael Hurly.

The story of ‘Starve Acre’ unfolds in 1970s rural England. It delves into the seemingly idyllic family life of Richard and Juliette, which is disrupted when their son’s behavior takes a troubling turn. In their remote family residence, Starve Acre, archaeologist Richard becomes engrossed in exploring a folkloric myth suggesting that the ancient oak tree on their land possesses extraordinary powers. As Juliette seeks solace within the local community, Richard becomes consumed by his relentless quest. An unexpected discovery captures the couple’s attention, unwittingly allowing dark and sinister forces into their home and presenting a disconcerting possibility of reconnection between them.

Michelle Shwarzstein, CEO of Brainstorm Media, expressed her excitement about bringing ‘Starve Acre’ to American audiences, describing it as a masterfully crafted and unsettling addition to the folk horror genre.

Laura Dos Santos, Acquisitions Manager at BFI Distribution, praised ‘Starve Acre’ as a magnificent homage to the British folk horror tradition. She highlighted its originality, anticipating that it will captivate a wide range of audiences in the UK and Ireland, including genre enthusiasts and cinephiles.

The production of ‘Starve Acre’ is credited to Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Derrin Shlesinger, and Emma Duffy. The British film was developed with BBC Film and received funding from Access Entertainment, BBC Film, and the BFI, which awarded National Lottery funding. Daniel Kokotajlo, the director, was the recipient of the IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Bursary Award in association with the BFI for his feature film debut, ‘Apostasy.’

While specific release plans have yet to be announced, audiences are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on the availability of ‘Starve Acre.’