Action Xtreme is expanding into the UK and Ireland film distribution space with the release of the John Hannah-led film Bad day at the office.
The adrenaline-packed action thriller, produced and directed by Chee Keong Cheung and also starring Radha Mitchell (silent hill, Man on fire), will premiere in the UK at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August. It is set to open the prestigious Midnight Madness series before being released nationwide in cinemas across the UK and Ireland next October.
The move represents an important milestone for the UK-based studio. Alongside its expanding production roster, Action Xtreme is working on international partnerships, talent development initiatives and a pioneering Master’s program in Action Filmmaking with Falmouth University. In addition to overseeing the theatrical release of the production in the UK and Ireland, the company will also selectively acquire action titles and commercially oriented genres that are “on-brand”.
Bad day at the office It was filmed entirely from a first-person perspective using GoPro cameras. The film’s events revolve around a man (Hannah) who wakes up in a hotel without remembering his identity, only to discover a body in the bathroom and an army of killers approaching him. He is forced to escape and uncover the truth while fighting to survive, and discovers that he may not be the man he thought he was.
“Filmed in the style of a first-person video game with cinematic wit, humour, ferocious pacing and a shocking soundtrack, this is a chaotic, intensely violent and hilarious thrill ride of pure cinematic carnage,” said Emma Boa, festival director in Edinburgh. “The ultimate midnight madness experience.”
Cheung, who is also CEO of Action Xtreme, added: “Bad day at the office “It is exactly the kind of bold cinematic experience that Action Xtreme was created for… Seeing our first theatrical release launch with a festival premiere at Midnight Madness in Edinburgh, before rolling out nationwide, makes this an incredibly exciting moment for the company.”
Co-CEO Andreas Rold said distribution was a “key element” of their strategy. “Over the past few years, we’ve focused on building Action
The studio’s recent productions include the Nigerian action thriller Son of the soilwhich became one of Netflix Africa’s most successful releases after being released theatrically across multiple regions. Upcoming productions include a science fiction film Experiencestarring Rhona Mitra and Famke Janssen, as well as several international co-productions currently in development.
