Private Project

Ashes (screener)

After the death of his beloved wife in a devastating fire, Jonathon Soter's life is in ruins. Drinking to excess and barely holding down his job as a teacher, he's a man lost with nothing to live for. But the sudden news that the boy who killed his wife, Scottish born Donald McKinley, has been released early from prison, brings monumental change for Soter. He begins a journey to a small coastal town, where he hopes to find his tormentor, to find an answer and perhaps to ultimately find redemption. Exploring themes of forgiveness, revenge and the tragedy of an existence locked in the past, Ashes is a complex character study and a dramatic modern fable.

  • Alan Coulson
    Director
  • Alan Coulson
    Writer
  • Maria Ellis
    Producer
  • Rupert Procter
    Key Cast
  • Graeme Rooney
    Key Cast
  • Mark Wood
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 40 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 1, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Garden State Film Festival
    Atlantic City
    United States
    April 2, 2016
    Winner Best International Feature Film
  • Orlando Film Festival
    Orlando, Florida
    United States
    October 24, 2015
    East Coast
  • Cayman Islands International Film Festival
    Grand Cayman
    Cayman Islands
    July 2, 2016
  • College Town Film Festival
    Burbank, CA
    United States
    March 18, 2016
  • Great Lakes Film Festival
    Erie, PA
    United States
    October 1, 2015
    Nominated Best Feature
  • Moscow Film Festival
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    January 6, 2016
  • Toronto Film Week
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 12, 2016
Director Biography - Alan Coulson

Director: Alan Coulson

Alan has been writing professionally for the screen for 10 years, working extensively in both the UK and the US. He wrote two new Judge Dredd movies for Morris Ruskin of Shoreline Entertainment, based on the 2000AD comic book character and has written novel adaptations and original screenplays for producers worldwide.
His first horror film, "Parasite", directed by Andrew Prendergast, was produced and released in 2004 by Rebellion.
Prior to his time as a screenwriter he was actively involved in directing and producing short films, music promos and stage plays. He wrote and directed video sequences for the stage play "Mood Indigo" which ran throughout the UK in 2005. Alan has directed over 30 music promos, as well as live events and short films. He also directed the critical slow motion sequences in the hugely successful short film Gone Fishing.
His first feature film as director "Ashes" is now complete, and he is currently preparing his second feature called "Forgotten" about a man trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

We wanted Ashes to be a gritty, authentic sounding and dramatic modern fable. With a slow burning build, we discover three very distinct characters and await their collision. "Soter" our protagonist is in need of forgiveness from himself, whilst "Donnie" is in need of forgiveness from others. "Kenny" our clear antagonist represents a need for revenge, and through him we see where acting out that revenge will inevitably lead. Although shot on an incredibly low budget, we wanted Ashes to feel expansive and perhaps even epic, with strong performances and a gripping story which leads to a powerful, surprising and yet inevitable end.