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9 September 2024

The Outrun – an honest, moving and powerful new feature film that encapsulates the complexities of recovery

Released in the UK on 27th September, we fully endorse this exceptional new film by Studiocanal, based on the popular memoir of Amy Liptrot, a former Forward Trust client. And we're delighted to get our hands on a new interview with the stars of the film!

The Outrun follows the story of 29-year-old, Rona (played by Saoirse Ronan), and her journey through addiction and into sobriety in the beautiful but remote settings of the Orkney Islands.

The film time-travels between the Orkneys and London – where Rona’s flashbacks of her former party lifestyle are intertwined with the solitude of her new recovery journey.

Beautiful written, filmed and performed, this film will take you on a powerful journey – and what’s more we have a new featurette (below) where lead actors Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu explain their own heartfelt and deeply personal connections to the film’s subject matter.

Interviews with The Outrun stars, Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu

Mike Trace, Forward Trust CEO, recently attended an invite-only screening to the world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Mike reviewed the film as below:

“The film is based on the story of Amy Liptrot, who wrote a book about her recovery from addiction during a return to her native Orkney Islands. While enjoying the lead performance of Saoirse Ronan, and the gradual revealing of the roots of her emotional problems, the best part for me was the way that the film lovingly examined Amy’s search for peace and meaning through nature (with a bit of help from regular doses of banging techno music)!

“Many films about recovery in my view wallow too much in the misery porn and the gruesome details, but it was nice to see this one take a gentler approach – allowing nuance, and avoiding simplistic conclusions. Also, the scenery is wild and wonderful.”

The Outrun will be released in the UK on the 27th September and will be showing across a number of cinemas including Curzon, Vue Cinemas and Picturehouse cinemas.

Donate and fundraise to The Forward Trust

If you’re inspired by the film subject matter and the work of the Forward Trust you could donate in a number of ways – through individual giving, taking on a challenge event or leaving a gift in your Will.

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Reach Out

Reach Out – confidential online support for drug and alcohol worries

Finding things tough? Worried about a friend’s drug use? Wanting some advice to reduce your alcohol intake? You could try Reach Out. Our online chat service is managed by a team of friendly volunteers with online calls taken weekdays, 9am-5pm.

Reach Out online chat service