Screened locally for only the second time following a sell-out showing at Lighthouse in October, director Dan Pringle’s latest film Die Before You Die (15) is partly a claustrophobic thrill ride, and partly a moving story of personal transformation.

A striking cinematic work from Bournemouth-based filmmakers which takes unexpected and unconventional turns, the screening at Lighthouse Poole on Tuesday 15 March is followed by a live Q&A with director Dan Pringle.

Adi (Ziad Abaza) is a successful vlogger whose channel is his life. He’s vain, superficial, and more concerned with his view count than the happiness of his adoring daughter. While out with his best friend and fellow vlogger pal Maz (Mim Shaikh), Adi is approached by Lee (Harry Reid), a fan who proposes that he partake in a historic challenge and buried alive for three whole days with barely enough water and oxygen to survive.

Eager to outperform a rival, Adi jumps at the chance, but when he and Maz arrive at the agreed meeting place, It quickly becomes apparent that all is not what they had been told. They are introduced to a group of elders from the Middle East, revealed to be Sufis, members of a mysterious sect of Islamic mystics. When the group explain that the burial is to be part of an ancient ritual, Adi considers backing out, but Maz convinces him to see it through.

Blindfolded and transported to an unknown location, Adi lies in an L-shaped hole which is then with soil, sealing him six feet underground with nothing but an inch wide plastic pipe leading to the surface to provide air and light. A day passes without event until the group fail to return with his water delivery.

And when his air pipe is damaged, limiting his supply of oxygen, Adi begins to question the nature and motivations of the group. When no one arrives on day three to dig him back up, total desperation sets in.

With the question of who his tormentors are becoming less and less relevant, Adi battles impending dehydration, suffocation, and his own inner demons as he wrestles to stay alive and free himself from his prison within the earth.

The film premiered at Manchester Film Festival 2024 where it won awards for Best Director and Jury Prize Feature.

DIE BEFORE YOU DIE (15)

TUESDAY 13 MAY 7.30pm (CINEMA)
followed by live Q&A with director Dan Pringle

Tickets and information 01202 280000 

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk