Private Project

Nicholas Calling

A father, stuck in a loop to feed his drug addiction, is in contact with his son via mobile. A birthday looming, and a treasured keyring from his son being the only ray of light, Jerome makes one of the hardest decisions he’ll ever make.

  • Patrick James Verlin
    Director
  • Patrick James Verlin
    Writer
  • Rhys Holland
    Producer
  • Petros Goutis
    Key Cast
    "Jerome"
  • Karim Newton
    Key Cast
    "Immanuel"
  • Anthony Niescior
    Key Cast
    "Nicholas"
  • Boyuan Li
    Director of Photography
  • Anastasiya Mykhaylova
    Production Designer
  • Semyon Voinov
    Editor
  • Tristan Lane Clarke
    Original Score
  • Thom Yorke
    Additional Music
  • Antonio Donato
    Supervising Sound Editor
  • Longhua Yang
    Sound Recordist
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Tragedy, Thriller, Social Realist
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    650 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K, 5.1 Surround
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - London Film School
Distribution Information
  • Festival Formula
    Distributor
    Country: United Kingdom
Director Biography - Patrick James Verlin

Patrick James Verlin is a director and producer from Melbourne, Australia. Before film making he worked as a DJ in radio and underground techno clubs. Since a young age he has always had a camera in his hand, learning to tell stories for the screen.

He studied academic film in Australia and ultimately moved to London to train at the London Film School and National Film and Television School.

His passion for bringing people together led him into producing where he has worked in Italy, Australia, U.S.A, and UK. He currently resides in London where he writes and works in the film industry.

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Director Statement

An ‘overcoming-the-monster’ story, where the monster overcomes the protagonist.

In Nicholas Calling, we explore how addiction can lead to making the wrong choices in life. Jerome, our protagonist, is a heroin addict but also a father. He is trying his best to be there for his son, Nicholas, but ultimately, for him, there is nothing better than heroin. Nicholas’ birthday is looming and he must buy a present for him. But his only available money always seems to go to his drug dealer. He tells himself he will get better, but in this film, we see the last straw.

Through fast paced editing, we feel his anxiety as the desperate need for his next hit builds. He roams the streets at night, lit by the bright neon shop lights of a dirty and grimy London. This is his world. When Jerome has a moment to talk to his son, the camera slows down – he wants to make Nicholas his priority, but as soon as he is off the phone, the need for heroin returns.

I have personally dealt with addiction in my life, and seen it ruin the lives of many of my family members. I was lucky enough to pull myself out from addiction with the help of friends and family, but many do not have the necessary resources. I hope this film gives a compassionate view of people struggling with addiction and helps others to see how difficult it is to beat.

This is the story of someone who is not able to overcome his monster.

I shot this film whilst studying a masters of film-making at the London Film School.