Password
Project Link
http://Vimeo.com/267119886

Sugar

Male mental health is a huge issue of our times, both in the UK and around the globe. Research from major charities suggests that a massive number of males feel unworthy, unable to provide, unable to live up to hopes and expectations.

Sugar is a short film which sets out to explore this issue.

Through the eyes of our protagonist, who suffers in silence in a world which pounces on any form of perceived weakness, we consider the harmful effect of needing to conceal the truth from the people around you.

  • Matthew Crawford
    Director
    Paint, The Barry Bomber
  • Matthew Crawford
    Writer
    Paint
  • Matthew Crawford
    Producer
  • Lloyd Everitt
    Producer
  • Cai Howells
    Producer
  • Lloyd Everitt
    Key Cast
    Casualty (Regular Jez), Holby City, Emmerdale
  • Georgia Henshaw
    Key Cast
    Skins, Waterloo Road, Banana, Cucumber
  • Tomos Eames
    Key Cast
    Pride
  • Chris Pybus
    Key Cast
    The Crimson Field, Shameless
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sport, black, Mental Health
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Arri Amira
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Matthew Crawford

Having trained as an Actor at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Matthew worked on stage and screen following drama school.

He joined the BBC in 2013 where he was stationed to work in the Production department of Sarah Phelps' First World War drama, "The Crimson Field".

Following this he was given the opportunity to work on the adaptation Hilary Mantel's historical epic "Wolf Hall", directed by Peter Kosminsky and starring Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis.

In the production world, Matthew is the Coordinator of Sky 1 comedy "Trollied", currently in Series 7, having worked on Peter Kosminsky's Channel 4 Epic "The State" in 2016-17.

His first short film "Sugar" is set for release to the festival circuit in 2017.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Sugar aims to raise awareness about a problem rooted deep within our culture.

Mental health in young and middle aged men is in crisis. It's often seen as a taboo subject, especially in traditionally "macho", and sometimes poverty stricken environments.

Research shows that young to middle aged men in low socio-economic environments are most at risk. My own father was sectioned under the mental health act, and it's a problem I feel very strongly about.

Financial pressures, isolation, inadequacy and failing to live up to expectations are often sighted as major factors leading up to depression or mental breakdown.

As a Director, I would simply ask the audience to consider what they may be able to do within their own lives that could make a difference.

By speaking to somebody, you may be able to save a life.