Brutal, unnerving, and intense. That’s how you can sum up Wasteman, the new prison drama starring Rye Lane and Alien: Romulus’s David Jonsson alongside fellow rising star Tom Blyth from The Hunger Games spin-off Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. And this February, you can watch it for free at some of the UK’s leading independent cinemas.
Escapes, the BFI’s nationwide initiative that celebrates community cinemas with monthly free screenings, will be screening the riveting, BAFTA-nominated thriller for free on February 16-17.
Participating London cinemas include BFI Southbank, Rich Mix, The Cinema in the Power Station, The Lexi, Phoenix, Genesis and others.
Directed by debutant Cal McMau, Wasteman touches upon the state of prisons in the UK, from overcrowded blocks to delayed paroles. Jonsson stars as prisoner Taylor who is approaching an early parole before his life is jeopardized with new aggressive cellmate Dee, played by a terrifyingly brilliant Blyth.
What makes Wasteman all the more immersive and compelling is its reliance on phone-shot footage with blurry videos capturing the recklessness behind bars. ‘When I discovered all this phone footage that was coming out of prisons it was like a portal into another world,’ McMau revealed.
Having already won best debut director at the BIFAs, McMau is also currently in the running for outstanding debut at the upcoming BAFTAs.
While the films opens in UK cinemas on February 20, audiences can catch previews four days before its general release if they claim free cinema tickets via Escapes.
You too can claim your free ticket at escapetothecinema.co.uk.
Read ’s verdict on Wasteman here.
