The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey is featuring in a new independent sci-fi thriller filmed entirely in Nottingham.
The Correction Unit tells the story of a group of violent and misguided young offenders who are experimented on using AI technology at a sinister institute.
Nottingham actor, Ramsey, 21, provides the voice of nTrac, the central AI system at the fictional institute.
The world premiere of the film takes place on Tuesday evening at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham.
Director and producer, Derry Shillitto, said he hopes Bella Ramsey’s involvement will help the film reach a wider audience [BBC]
Set in a dystopian present, The Correction Unit explores the question: What happens to the most vulnerable in our society when the most powerful embrace artificial intelligence?
Derry Shillitto, 33, who directed and produced the movie, said he was inspired to write about AI when he was teaching in Nottingham during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I had this idea that if we are going to pursue this future with AI and these people who are controlling the technology, what’s their intention?”
“So that was why we wrote the film, basically to try to capture that and to try and make it an exciting sci-fi thriller,” he added.
The film is the director’s debut feature-length production and was created by Foyle River Films on a budget of £150,000.
It was filmed at various locations in Nottingham and features actors from the city.
Mr Shillitto said: “The kids that we cast in the film had to be from Nottingham.”
“They had to have this rebellious but charming nature and I think they do and I’m really proud we got that on screen,” he said.
Bella Ramsey is best known for playing Ellie in the post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us.
Mr Shillitto said working with the actor and having their involvement in the film was amazing.
He added: “They’re just the best person I’ve spent time with in a long time to be honest, and very supportive.”
He said: “They’re a very down-to-earth person, you can tell they’ve spent a lot of time in Nottingham and they love Nottingham.”
Actor Kirsty Smedley said being part of the film was a dream come true [BBC]
Nottingham actor Kirsty Smedley, 44, plays the part of Yvonne Bakewell, who is the driving force at The Correction Unit.
“‘It’s been brilliant. Two years of my life, she’s become a part of me, some of my family call me Yvonne.
“I’ve loved every minute of it.”
There’s none of the glitz and glamour you might expect from starring in a feature film.
Ms Smedley has a day job working in distribution and had to take annual leave to work on the film.
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