Five Pillars
2013, 86 minutes
The lives of vastly separate people collide in interweaving stories of liberty, identity, tolerance, responsibility and class.
Shattered by the experience of war ex-soldier Darren finds himself back in England and disenfranchised by a society struggling to find an identity. His best friend Paul has moved away to university while his other friend Gary has joined the extremist ranks of the far right National Defence League. Even Paul's teenage brother, Billy, is a changed character from the young boy Darren used to know, one who is now edging towards a mind-set of violence and hate as he comes of age. Darren's former girlfriend, Sophie, has also grown distant. She doesn't want to know him despite his desperate determination to engage. Unknown to him her mind is pre-occupied with problems of her own - namely a secret one night stand with one of his best friends that has left her with a decision to make and a responsibility to face. His only connection is with his estranged grandfather, Graham. However when Sophie is propositioned by a young Asian boy called Yusuf, Darren's grip on sanity slips further and encouraged by Billy and Gary he heads towards punishing Yusuf for what he regards as a provocation. After a violent confrontation the outcome of which exceeds the expectations of all his friends and drives him over the edge, Darren then discovers the truth behind Sophie's secret - a secret that spells betrayal and a betrayal that will change all of their lives.
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