The Nuclear Train (2002)

In 2002 I adapted my short story The Nuclear Train - from the collection Soft Apocalypse - for Channel 4's Animate! strand. The director was Daniel Saul, who used computer animated layers to give the film a unique look and feel that really captured the psychological state of its central character. We worked very closely together on the production, casting and choosing the locations together, and I was on set throughout the schedule - and am in the film too (see if you can spot me...).

You can find a full synopsis and credits on the Animate projects site, and view the film below.

James lives beside the railway line that carries radioactive waste through London. He begins to blame his daughter's disability upon the nuclear train. Written by novelist James Flint and commissioned by Channel4/Arts Council under "Animate!"

The Nuclear Train

A film by Daniel Saul, written by James Flint

An animated drama. James is deeply disturbed by the heavy vibrations made by the train carrying nuclear waste past his home. When he runs away from the house and a failing relationship, he enters a surreal dreamscape from which he may never return.

Key credits:

Director: Daniel Saul
Writer: James Flint
James: Joe Duttine
Mary: Josephine Butler
Martha: Michaela Turner
Rever: Scott Woods
Director of photography: Simon Starling
Production designer: Sarah Lovett
Live-action producer: Jo Wiser
Music: Shane Cullinan
Sound designer: Graeme Miller