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Tagline: When silence...talks back
Logline: When Donovan Slacks, a 1920s hospital patient, (re)discovers the terrible secret of his past, his world collapses. Determined to break free and win the woman he loves, the man silenced all his life leads an uprising against the government. Synopsis: Donovan Slacks has a fragile head. His mass of explosive hair is always topped off with an old pilot’s hat. Staying at a 1920s Sea Bathing Hospital, he lives fearing an accident, fearing change, fearing life – and yet wanting more. Sent there on doctor’s orders, Donovan has a picture-postcard view. Another place to feel trapped in. But Donovan soon scratches beneath the surface – and discovers the illicit world of the local fishermen. A community at war with the government, a community of smugglers, gamblers, drinkers – and a beautiful girl named Delilah. Like a fly to the flame, he is drawn to these people and takes to spying on them. But the fisherwomen soon notice this suited gent – and can’t wait to use him. They plan to train him up as their spokesman for a meeting with government officials. While the fishermen are violently against using this outsider, the fisherwomen know his middle class airs will carry weight. Despite warnings to steer clear of these rough-and-ready locals and to think of his head, Donovan is easily persuaded by Delilah. As Delilah rehearses Donovan’s speech with him – honing the performance they’ll need to save the community’s livelihood – they begin to fall in love. Delilah feels trapped in her life and wants more. But, as always, Donovan’s fragile head holds him back. His fear of danger, of the fishermen, of taking a chance is too strong. Things go from bad to worse: the government officials turn up with police and violently impound the fishermen’s property. While the fishermen put up a fight, Donovan cannot and dare not do anything. Unable to give his speech, the chance to take control of his life and win Delilah slips away. He is an outsider once more. But when Donovan suddenly discovers the terrible secret of his past, when he discovers his whole life has been a lie, everything goes into freefall. And in the eye of the storm, he takes a decision – he will make up his own rules from now on, whatever the cost. Determined to break free, determined to win Delilah, and determined to be heard for the first time in his life, he leads the fishermen in an uprising against the government. But as things begin to spiral out of control, can Donovan really become the leader everyone desperately needs? |