Hereford Films, the London-based production outfit best known for its stylish and crowd-pleasing urban thrillers (We Still Kill the Old Way; Vendetta) has unveiled striking key art for the first title under its brand new Hereford Horror banner: the US-set, Blumhouse-style supernatural shocker, AURA. The film is due for release in the UK and USA in August by 4Digital Media and Sony Home Entertainment respectively.
In AURA, Mitch Walker and his pregnant wife Diane look to start a new life in the home he has inherited from his late uncle; a decision resented by his mother, who is convinced that no good can come from a house that harbors such a dark history. In her childhood, Mitch’s sister Karen suffered a horrifying trauma inside the house that changed her life forever, causing her to be institutionalized in a near-catatonic state. With the blame placed on her uncle, the family was never the same again. In a bid to heal the wounds of the past, Mitch brings Karen home, but soon discovers that her condition is the result of an evil force that has possessed her for most of her life. Working with local clairvoyant Ada, Mitch is thrust into battle with a terrifying demonic presence. Facing insurmountable odds, he must uncover the truth buried within the house and find the key – an old camera designed for Kirlian photography (the practice of capturing a subject’s ‘aura’) – that may save his sister’s life.
Written and directed by Steve Lawson, AURA stars Shane Taylor (HBO’s Band of Brothers), Rula Lenska (Coronation Street; Inside No. 9), Denise Moreno (Demons & Doors) and stunning newcomer Janine Nerissa (The Krays: Dead Man Walking). Producers are Jonathan Sothcott (Eat Local) and Richard Watts-Joyce. Director of Photography is Richard John Taylor.
Hereford Films’ exciting 2018 slate is loaded with forthcoming additions to the Hereford Horror label, including PENTAGRAM, which is set to shoot in May, and TORMENTED and DEMONICUS in the summer.
Hereford Films CEO Jonathan Sothcott commented: “We are incredibly proud of Aura; it’s a terrific horror movie and we believe it will give us the momentum to become a major player in the genre. I don’t believe there has ever been a horror story brought to the screen that revolves around Kirlian photography, so what we have is a truly unique concept, and one that I’ve wanted to turn into a movie for years. It’s certainly a rare feat to find something that’s never been done before, especially in horror, and I’m very pleased to present Aura this summer. It delivers, and we’re already working on a sequel.”
Drawing influence from the likes of Blumhouse and the legendary Hammer, Hereford Films aims to produce six horror pictures per year.
