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| THE
AWAKENING |
Year: 2011
UK: Studio Canal
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Isaac
Hempstead-Wright, Shaun Dooley, Edward Judd, Joseph Mawle, Diana
Kent, Richard Durden, John Shrapnel, Cal Macaninch, Lucy Cohu,
Anastasia Hille, Andrew Havill, Tilly Vosburgh, Ian Hanmore, Steven
Cree
Director: Nick Murphy
Country: UK
UK: 102 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong violence and psychological
threat
UK Release Date: 11 November 2011
Movie
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Synopsis
THE AWAKENING is set in 1921, in a post-war England where many of
the bereaved seek solace in spiritualism. Haunted by the death of
her fiancé, Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall) is committed to
debunking supernatural claims, using methodical and rational
explanations. When she is asked to visit a boarding school in the
countryside called Rookwood - to investigate the alleged sightings
of a ghostly young boy - she feels compelled to take the job.
Once at Rookwood, she sets to work, laying traps and gathering
scientific evidence. Gradually secrets begin to unravel and the
mystery surrounding the ghost appears nothing more than a schoolboy
prank. As Florence is set to leave, however, she experiences a
chilling encounter that defies all reason. One of the schoolmasters,
Robert Mallory (Dominic West), worries about Florence’s
disposition in the aftermath. The incident leaves her scared and
confused, but she is determined to get to the bottom of it and
decides to stay on while the rest of the children go home for
Christmas.
She is not alone, however, as three others stay on with her: Maud
(Imelda Staunton), the matron, whose initial request had brought
Florence to the school; Tom (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), a young boy
whose parents cannot care for him over the break; and Mallory, who,
having recently fought in the Great War, is plagued by visions of
the past.
Over the coming days the blurred image of a child-like ghost haunts
Florence and she begins to doubt her resolve, increasingly unable to
provide any logical explanation for the bizarre goings-on. As her
bond with Mallory deepens, they are drawn to one another by their
shared sense of loneliness and together they ready themselves to
face their demons.
Directed by Nick Murphy, THE AWAKENING is written by Stephen Volk
and Nick Murphy, Produced by David M Thompson, Sarah Curtis and
Julia Stannard. It is
an Origin Pictures Production.
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