Produced by Oscar winning producer Jeremy Thomas (The Last Emperor, Sexy Beast, Fast Food Nation), Franklyn, the ambitious and highly accomplished debut feature from writer-director Gerald McMorrow, is an intelligent and thought-provoking fantasy thriller that invites favourable comparisons to the visionary works of Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys), Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), Alex Proyas (Dark City) and Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko).

Depicting an intriguing tale of four souls whose lives span two parallel worlds and are intertwined by fate, romance and tragedy, the film features an impressive cast that includes hot young actors Ryan Phillippe (Flags Of Our Fathers, Crash), Eva Green (The Golden Compass, Casino Royale), Sam Riley (Control) alongside seasoned veterans Bernard Hill (Valkyrie), Susannah York (Visitors) and Art Malik (Dean Spanley).

Jonathan Preest (Phillippe) is a masked vigilante detective operating within the futuristic, dystopian metropolis of Meanwhile City, a city under totalitarian religious control. His current quest is to seek out his nemesis, The Individual, who Preest holds responsible for the death of a young girl. Meanwhile, in contemporary London, three people are living out their daily lives completely unaware that their destinies link them not only to each other but also to Preest.

Milo (Riley) is a heartbroken twenty-something, recently jilted just before his wedding, who yearns for the purity of first love and believes he may have found it when he reconnects with his childhood sweetheart, Sally (Green). Emilia (also played by Green) is a troubled art student whose latest project dangerously involves documenting her own suicide attempts on video. Peter Esser (Hill) is a man of faith who, in desperation, has travelled from Cambridge to search for his estranged and mentally disturbed son who has gone missing amongst the homeless shelters of central London. As the lines between their respective worlds begin to blur, Preest, Milo, Emilia and Esser each receive a glimpse at the inner workings of fate and its ability to transcend and affect vastly different environments and existences.

Featuring standout performances by an intriguing cast and bolstered by visuals, set design and art direction that belie its modest budget, Franklyn is a striking slice of cerebral fantasy sci-fi.

Franklyn will be released on UK DVD (£15.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by E1 Entertainment on 22nd June 2009. No details yet of sound and picture specs or extra features.