51 Degrees North Explained

51 Degrees North should not be confused with 51st parallel north.

51° North
Director:Grigorij Richters
Producer:Alexander Souabni
Grigorij Richters
Music:Brian May
Starring:Moritz von Zeddelmann
Steven Cree
Steve Nallon
Jamie Doyle
Dolly-Ann Osterloh
Cinematography:James Kinsman
Editing:David Milkins
Runtime:88 minutes
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Budget:€10,000

51 Degrees North (sometimes stylized as 51° North) is a 2014 science-fiction film written and directed by Grigorij Richters and starring Moritz von Zeddelmann, Steve Nallon, Jamie Doyle, Dolly-Ann Osterloh, and Steven Cree. The film is visually presented as found footage shot from the perspective of various video recording devices, primarily from a handheld camcorder operated by the main characters and from CCTV cameras and social media. The original soundtrack was composed by Queen and Brian May.

Plot

Damon Miller (Moritz von Zeddelmann) is a talented, young German filmmaker living in London who is grappling with the pressures of an impoverished profession and a dissolving relationship. He soon discovers that the Earth stands on the brink of an extraterrestrial disaster.

Damon is informed that the world will end in less than three weeks when a series of asteroids will strike the Earth. However, a glimmer of hope remains in the form of a secret spaceship orbiting the Earth that can house up to 2,000 people. In exchange for a ticket to this spaceship, they task Damon with documenting the final moments leading up to the asteroid strike.

Seeing an opportunity to save Ann and his unborn child and a chance to mend the rift his obsession has created, Damon accepts the assignment. As the end of days arrives, Damon watches London descend into madness, with families torn apart and friends lost. Armed only with his camera, Damon prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones he loves.

Cast

Production

51° North was shot between 2011 and 2014 in and around London, initially using a skeleton crew and employing guerrilla filmmaking tactics. The crew included stunt coordinator Greg Powell whose previous credits include the James Bond, Harry Potter, and Jason Bourne franchises.

The film was one of the largest productions ever to shoot at Piccadilly Circus, featuring over 2,500 extras.[2] [3]

Music

Brian May, guitarist of British rock band Queen composed the music for the film.[4]

Release

51° North headlined the 2014 Starmus Festival and will be released on 30 June 2015.[5] [6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: agenturFILMGOLD :: Agentur für Schauspieler und Newcomer :: Moritz von Zeddelmann. agenturfilmgold.de. 20 July 2015.
  2. Web site: Piccadilly Circus Descends into Chaos For Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Film Shoot. Hannah Shaw-Williams. Bleeding Cool Comic Book, Movie, TV News. 2 November 2011. 20 July 2015.
  3. http://www.aptn.com/80256FE9003EF444/(httpStories)/275D52D6C337144E80257939006F20A0?OpenDocument&day=30&month=10&year=2011&feed=entertainment&viewtype=day&section=entertainment APTN News Report
  4. Web site: Brian News – June 2014. brianmay.com. 20 July 2015. 30 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150330063405/http://www.brianmay.com/brian/briannews/briannewsjun14a.html#04. dead.
  5. Web site: Director Grigorij Richters launches 51 Degrees North feature film Kickstarter campaign. astronomy.com. 20 July 2015.
  6. Web site: Asteroid Day: Everything you need to know about saving the world from space rocks. International Business Times. 25 June 2015. 20 July 2015.