True horror of diabetic sight loss is focus of lecturer's film

THE reality of diabetic blindness goes under the spotlight in a new full-length horror movie written by a University of Derby lecturer.

Tom Craig, 36, was diagnosed with type-one diabetes when he was a child and with diabetic retinopathy nine years ago, under which high glucose levels damage retina blood vessels in the eye, causing poor eyesight or blindness.

Above, University of Derby lecturer and script writer Tom Craig on location at Calke Abbey. Top right, a scene from the film. Above right, stars Stefana Brancastle and Chris Attle.

His film, Argon Green, tells the story of an artist losing his sight because of his diabetes, set against the horror genre background of a creepy house and ghostly visions.

Mr Craig said: "I understand some people might question the taste of using real diabetic conditions as fodder for horror films but there is a serious purpose to all this.

"Both I, my partner and my young son all have diabetes, so I'm well aware of the psychological effects the condition can have on you.

"I've worked with young adults who have been diagnosed as diabetic and they can struggle to talk about their fears and feelings.

"It struck me that by using popular fiction genres in which they were interested, such as horror and thriller films, you were more likely to get them to open up."

The cast of Argon Green includes award-winning French actress Stefana Brancastle, who was in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd and zombie horror 28 Weeks Later.

The director of photography is Stephen Watson, who previously worked on British director Shane Meadows' 2004 hit, Dead Man's Shoes, and it is directed by University of Derby graduates Sean Ford and Daniel Romero.

Shooting locations included Calke Abbey and the Gielgud Academy of Performing Arts in West Sussex.

Mr Craig said: "My script has been seen and praised by Robin Hardy, director of the original cult British horror film, The Wicker Man.

"Just as important was the clinical review it received from Dr Tasso Gazis, physician in diabetes and endocrinology at Nottingham University Hospital's Queen's Medical Centre, which also allowed us access to shoot portions of the film there."

The film should be ready in late autumn for film festival and mainstream distribution.

A percentage of any producer's net profit will go to the Diabetes UK charity.