Private Project

Attrition: A Ghost Story

Long synopsis
In this short ghost story, Michael is trying to start a new life after coming to terms with feelings of bereavement, regret and guilt. But something has started to haunt Michaels ‘new life’. Is it a manifestation of grief or is it a very real dark entity? This film is in some ways inspired by the work of M. R. James.

  • Brendan Pascal Lonergan
    Director
    What did you do in the war Grandad?
  • Brendan Pascal Lonergan
    Writer
  • Nicola Gaughan
    Producer
    What did you do in the war Grandad?
  • Brendan Pascal Lonergan
    Producer
  • Dominic O'Flynn
    Key Cast
    "Michael"
  • Isabel Davis Glebocki
    Key Cast
    "Jan"
    What did you do in the war Grandad?
  • Wesley Lloyd
    Key Cast
    "Estate agent"
    See IMDB & press kit
  • Annyk Sebestyen
    Key Cast
    "Therapist"
  • Grace Elizabeth Hendy
    Key Cast
    "Linda, Michael's wife"
    Game of Thrones
  • Ray Bull
    Key Cast
    "Ghost"
    See IMDB
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Suspense, Supernatural, Horror
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 6, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    650 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Black Magic, Canon 5MkD2
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Brendan Pascal Lonergan

Brendan has been a creature effects artist in the film industry since 1987. He has worked on several major motion pictures including Alien 3, Gladiator, John Carter, Saving Private Ryan, The Mummy Returns, Lost in Space and Prometheus. He has worked with Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Stephen Norrington and other well known directors. Whilst having undertaken some Second Unit/Creature Directing work on films, in which he supervised the creature effects ie Bone Snatcher and Surviving Evil. His first short film was the award winning ‘What did you do in the war grandad’ ‘which he directed and shot a script by Nicola Gaughan. ‘Attrition’ is his second film, which he also wore other hats, including, writer, Director of photography, Camera man, editor, vfx and producer.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I wanted to make a film that initially explores grief from a male perspective and mens' mental health in general. I also wanted to explore a haunting, be it literally or psychologically. I wanted to develop a character arc that challenges the audience's preconceptions about the protagonist's journey within the story.
Being the son of Irish immigrants I decided it would be interesting to explore a character with a similar lived experience, aside from the themes of grief and sadness.