Short Films
The Burning Of Mary (2019)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Producer: Gareth J. James
Genre: Supernatural Horror/Costume Drama
Set during the Jacobite Witch Hunts that plagued Scotland throughout the early part of the 16th Century, this film
tells the story of Mary: A young woman who as a girl witnessed her mother being burned as a witch. Ten years later, Mary then finds herself upon the pyre at the behest of a tyrannical clergyman and her paranoid husband.
This film is currently doing the rounds on the global festival circuit.
Check To The King (2021)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Producers: Gareth J. James and Susan P. Daniel
Genre: Screwball Comedy
In the dying minutes of a tense match with a bitter rival, a chess player suffers an unexpected turn of events while contemplating his next move.
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This film is currently doing the rounds on the global festival circuit.
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Spirits of The Dead" (2018)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James (adapted from Poe's poem "The Spirits of the Dead"
Producer: Gareth J. James
Genre: Gothic Horror
A screen adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic Gothic poem, "The Spirits of the Dead". Inspired by the style of the Hammer Horror and Roger Corman films from the 1960s and 1970s, this film also marks Dystopic Films' first efforts in the creation and use of green screened, fully digital internal set design.
A Very Odd Engagement (2017)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Producer: Carma Sharon
Genre: Screwball Comedy
Dystopic Films' most successful production to date. It follows the misadventures of Archie, a 40-something philanderer who is reluctant to propose marriage to his shrewish girlfriend Diane. Following a night of infidelity, Archie's fears of marriage and his desperate desire to conceal the truth from Diane reaches critical mass in a farcical downward spiral.
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This film has been screened at prominent film festivals in several different countries including Germany, the UK, Russia and the USA. On November 15th 2019, the film also won the Audience Choice Award for Best Comedy at the Third Annual MovieScreenPro Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Midnight Ride (2015)
Directo: Lexi Rose
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Producer: Gareth J. James
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
The third of three films featured as part of Dystopic Films' short film anthology: Chillogy. It follows the story of Brian, a man who accepts a cab ride from a stranger and tries to piece together recent events which touch on issues metaphysics and the question of existance.
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Die, My Darling (2015)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Producer: Gareth J. James
Genre: Horror/Erotic Thriller
Made as part of the three films featured in Dystopic Films' short film anthology: Chillogy. It follows the story of junior lawyer and serial killer, Gerald "Gerry" Bates, when he goes out one night to the red light district in search of his latest prey...with unexpected results.
The Cards Never Lie (2015)
Director: Paul Cavallo
Screenwriters: Gareth J. James and Paul Cavallo
Producer: Gareth J. James
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Made as part of three films featured in Dystopic Films' short film anthology: Chillogy. Three months on from a bad break up Jenny takes a trip to the carnival and crosses the path of a gypsy fortune-teller named Gallina whose predictions seem suspiciously true to life.
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Dead To Me (2013)
Director: Gareth J. James
Producer: Gita Irwin
Screenwriter: Gareth. J. James and Gita Irwin
Genre: Social Drama
'Joel is a highly suicidal twenty-something living with his partner Rachel in Sydney's inner suburbs. Haunted by memories of a traumatic childhood, and with Rachel soon to become the mother of his child, Joel must now face the final decisive choice. Does he let the past go and embrace his new life with Rachel or does he give in to his demons and end his life?'
Road To Nowhere (2010)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Road Thriller
A grim noir tale in the vein or 'Road Kill' and 'Dual'. Adam, a young cocky sports car enthusiast, chances upon a battered and bruised girl whilst driving at night out along a rural road. After administering first aid, Adam offers to drive the Girl to the nearest town. What he does not expect however, is that the Girl is being pursued by a phantom car. It quickly becomes apparent that the driver of this car shall stop at nothing to retrieve his quarry...even if it means having to go through Adam in order to do it.
Pretty (2010)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Horror
Released in October 2010, this controversial film explores the importance of spectatorship with regards to how audiences percieve screen violence.
Welcome to 'Penance'; the underground internet sensation where Vengeance is a game, the price of sin is high and all debts are paid for...in blood. Strap yourselves in and hold on tight as your host, The Image, takes you on a dark and devilish journey to that deepest darkest part of the human condition all with the help of his assistants: the aptly named Torture Twins.
Pictures In The Cutting Room
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Video Editor Howard Crane had his life torn apart when his girlfriend Kate was inexplicably murdered during a home invasion. A year later, a still grieving Howard spends his days needless editing old video tape footage and pining for what he has lost. This all changes, however, with the appearance of a strange video tape which apparently documents Kate's final moments. Could this be Howard's chance to discover the killer's identity?
The Garden Shed (2009)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Black Comedy
Slightly more irreverent in tone than Gareth J. James' previous films is this bizarre little black comedy, outlining one of the most memorable characters in his rogues' gallery.
On the outside, Bert Bracket looks just like any other retiree. If only the people in his neighborhood knew what he gets up to in his back garden shed...
Winding Road (2008)
Director: Gareth J. James
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Paranormal Thriller​
Winding Road is Gareth J. James' own homage to the Japanese Horror films of the late 1990s.
Set along a rural road, it tells the story of Stephen, an office worker who wakes up after a car crash to find himself suffering from amnesia. As he struggles to piece together recent events whilst searching for the highway, it becomes evident that there are perhaps some things which are best left forgotten?
Victoria
Director: Gareth J. James
Producer: Tracey Adams
Screenwriters: Gareth J. James and Tracey Adams
Genre: Horror
Victoria is an introverted, schizophrenic young woman who dreams of being a film maker. Torn between constant harassment by a gang of bullies and an infatuation with a mysterious French girl from her art college, Victoria seeks work at a local butcher's shop to earn some extra cash. Unfortunately, Victoria finds herself slowly being consumed by her madness as her medication begins to run dangerously low....
Blister Blue
Directors: Gareth J. James
Producer: Evan Russell
Screenwriter: Gareth J. James
Genre: Domestic Drama
'Blister Blue' is a gritty domestic drama about the on-going and unspoken scourge of child abuse in Western society.
Bleddyn is a thirteen year old boy with very little to live for. Bullied incessently at school and abused at home by and alcoholic father, he struggles from day to day suffering in silence. However, when he is forced to come into school one day with severe brusing all over his face, Bleddyn is charged with having to confess his dark secrets.
