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A Moral Man film image, co-directors Paul and Simon Wade

A Moral Man

North American Premiere

A right-to-die evangelist must wrestle with his faith and morality when his latest client turns out to be not what she claimed. Moral dilemma stories can be difficult to get right in a short film format, but this two-hander is blessed with veteran actors who really enhance a tale about difficult choices. Toby Jones (Infamous, Hunger Games) gives a powerful, understated performance as a man of faith, and Claudie Blakley (Pride and Prejudice, Gosford Park) shines as an anxious but committed woman in her last throes. The first half is a quiet setup before uncomfortable truths force the ethical question in this somber, moving, and original story on the desperation of living and the relief of dying.

 

Community Partner

Directors
Cast

Toby Jones, Claudie Blakley

Credits
Country of Origin

UK

Year

2021

Language

English

Film Contact
19 min

Featured in:

The Lone Wolf film image

International Shorts: Morality Plays

Morals are being challenged on many fronts. The protagonists in this program of short films are all faced with difficult moral choices and they don’t always make the right decisions.

 

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Credits

Executive Producer

Brett Payne

Producer

Sarah Beardsall, Elliot Barker

Screenwriter

Paul and Simon Wade

Cinematography

Donna Wade

Editor

Simon Wade

Production Design

Guy Thompson

Original Music

James Mabbett

Director

Paul and Simon Wade joint headshot, A Moral Man co-directors

Paul and Simon Wade

Paul and Simon Wade are British writers, directors, and brothers. They started out making horror films in the woods with a DV camera and a cast and crew of unwitting family members. Since then, they have grown up slightly, and now work across narrative fiction, drama, and comedy. Their films have been commissioned by Sky and the BFI and played at festivals internationally including Beijing, Moscow, and London.