A DORSET film-maker who has gone on to take Hollywood by storm speaks to Joanna Davis about a growing awards buzz for his newest project.

A FORMER Weymouth student who scooped an Oscar as a producer of hit film The King’s Speech has received critical acclaim for his new independent movie.

Gareth Unwin’s new film Kajaki: The True Story has been described by Jeremy Clarkson as ‘the best war film ever made’.

Kajaki is worlds away from the cosy period costume environs of The King’s Speech without a star name like Colin Firth to prop it up.

This is a no-holds-barred, unflinching film.

It tells the true story of British troops in Afghanistan and is based on the story of Mark Wright, who helped save the lives of injured soldiers in Helmand Province.

Set in 2006, it tells the story of a small group of soldiers on a routine patrol in Helmand who become trapped in a mine-laden riverbed.

As attempts to extract them cause more havoc, they realise that each step they take could be their last.

Former Weymouth College student Gareth, executive producer of the movie, said being part of the project was an easy decision to make.

“I thought this was a remarkable true story depicting heroism that goes unnoticed. It was an opportunity to pay tribute to these men. This particular story is quite unique.

“We decided we wanted to bring it out this year and align ourselves with Camp Bastion closing down in Afghanistan, the First World War centenary this year and the poppy installation at the Tower of London.

“We raised a small amount of money for Kajaki through crowd-funding and struck a deal with a brilliant production house.”

The on-location shoots were challenging for cast and crew, Gareth said.

“We shot it in Jordan over four weeks in the summer at temperatures of 53°C in the daytime.

“We even broke three thermometers throughout the course of the shoot.”

The film recently had its Leicester Square premiere, followed by cast and crew going on a regional tour to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol, taking part in question and answer sessions with veterans and their relatives after the screenings.

“What has surprised me most are the audience reviews we have got from people who have served themselves or have family who have served. They’ve been really supportive of the film and its accuracy,” Gareth said.

And as for the awards buzz being generated by Kajaki?

“Lots of people are getting excited about it and we will try and position it for an awards run.

“I hope it’s being looked upon kindly.”

The film, currently on release in the UK exclusively in Vue Cinemas, will be released world-wide in early 2015.

But Gareth, whose next project is a romantic comedy called One, is calling upon interested Dorset residents to speak to their local cinema chain and request that Kajaki is shown there.

“We’re hoping to bring in some cinema chains in Dorset to show the film because we want local people to get a chance to see it.

“There’s no more important requirement than people championing the film for it to be shown in their local cinema.”

l IF you wish to see Kajaki in this area, contact your local cinema.