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Strike

"When the lonely and isolated Francine is gifted a case of matches made in her controlling husband’s factory, she discovers that within the flames of each match resides the tortured soul of a deceased factory worker, cursed to appear with every strike."

Set against the Matchgirl Strikes of 1888, Strike is a gothic story about friendship and the toxicity that can be hidden behind the guise of love. As we still battle for better working conditions and campaign for equality, this timely short film shows us how far we’ve come by standing still.

  • Mark Patterson
    Director
  • Hendrik Harms
    Writer
  • Amy Warren
    Producer
  • Gracie LeClere
    Key Cast
    "Francine Worthing"
  • James Viller
    Key Cast
    "Sebastian Worthing"
  • Amy Anderson
    Key Cast
    "Vera Spitz"
  • Sandstorm Films
    Production Company
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Short, History, Supernatural, Gothic
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 10, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Dead Northern
    York
    United Kingdom
    UK
Director Biography - Mark Patterson

Mark started his creative career in CGI and VFX. He did a short course in CGI and was hooked. In 2004 Mark started supporting lecturers in teaching 3D modelling and animation. By 2012 Mark was a qualified lecturer teaching BA (hons) in Digital Media Arts specialising in teaching CGI, VFX, editing, videography and storyboarding. During this time, Mark was active as a freelance CGI and VFX artist working independently on TVC's, corporate work and music videos.

From 2012 to 2018, Mark ran a film unit that was contracted to create films for the British Army. Here Mark got his first taste in large scale directing with a full crew and an exhilarating subject. He directed many shoots involving large numbers of military personnel, SA's, blank weapons, explosions and armoured vehicles utilising film industry armourers, SFX crew and makeup artists. Mark and his team delivered hundreds of films to the British Army which had a significantly positive impact upon the quality of their training material.

In 2018, Mark chose to explore routes into narrative directing within the UK film industry. After a year of freelancing, Mark was offered a job as Head of Production at Sandstorm Films and became the in-house director. Mark subsequently gained extensive experience in studio production, directing shoots for many high profile clients. Mark's interest in narrative filmmaking persisted and in 2023 he got the opportunity to direct his first fully funded narrative short film, Strike.

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Director Statement

This story is beautifully constructed, connecting a fascinating time period when workers rights were being fought for, an abusive relationship by a controlling and insecure husband and the fascinating world of the supernatural.

I connected to this story as someone who has witnessed a close friend suffer through a toxic relationship. It was deeply insightful that the abused woman in this story was helped most by someone who could do nothing else but listen.

Casting was incredibly important to us for this film, especially to best convey the struggle of a wheelchair user in 19th Century Britain. When Gracie's self tape came through from the casting director we were blown away at not only the power she exuded in this role but also finding moments of tenderness. As an ambulatory wheelchair user herself, she hit every emotion and beat with a pitch perfect performance. We only found out after wrapping that this was her first professional shoot out of drama school and we're so chuffed to be the ones to have found her for such a breakout and inspired turn.

It was a huge challenge and an overwhelming pleasure to direct this film. I hope that for many, this film is as enjoyable and fascinating to watch as it was to make.