Vertigo Releasing are proud to present SURGE, the first feature film from Aneil Karia (Beat, The Long Goodbye) starring BAFTA award winning actor Ben Whishaw (The Personal History of David Copperfield, Paddington, the James Bond franchise). Surge will be released in the UK and Ireland from 28th May 2021 and will be screening at this year's Glasgow International Film Festival. The film had its World Premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in the World Competition section, where Ben Whishaw won a Special Jury Award for Acting. Following this Surge had its International Premiere at Berlinale 2020 in the Panorama section.
Surge was financed by BBC Film, the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery, Protagonist Pictures and Split Prism Media. It was developed with the support of BBC Film and Creative England, via BFI NETWORK using National Lottery funding. Produced by Julia Godzinskaya and Sophie Vickers of Rooks Nest, executive producers are Eva Yates and Rose Garnett for BBC Film, Lizzie Francke for BFI, and Will Norton for Rooks Nest. The film was co-produced by Scott O'Donnell.
Joseph (Whishaw) is trapped in a soulless job, living a life devoid of emotion and meaning. After an impulsive act of rebellion, Joseph unleashes a wilder version of himself. He is propelled on a reckless journey through London, ultimately experiencing what it feels like to be alive.
Karia says of his protagonist, "Though Joseph might seem to be a unique case, I hope that his story is speaking to something much more universal. Now more than ever it feels like we have had enough of surface-existence and are yearning for a deeper more present experience of the world. I hope watching this film feels like a visceral and meaningful trip."
