Emma is a new student. Her first obstacle - to find cheap accommodation. Smooth-talking Scott soon introduces her to a deserted mansion which, bar mould, piles of refuse and the odd rat, is a perfect student squat. Unnoticed at first, strange ticking noises emanate from the basement. Lights flash on and off behind the impenetrable door... and there seems to be no access...

An unlikely assortment congregates in the house - all students, with hormones rampaging through their eighteen year-old bodies. Wise-cracking Alex tempts Nicole into
his love-nest.

Meanwhile, Scott and Emma begin to warm to each other’s charms. And Graham lurks in dark corners, brooding over lost love Nicole.
One stormy night, Alex manages to break into the cellar and cannot believe his eyes. He gets the others join him - together they peer round the door... there is the largest marijuana plantation anyone has ever seen. Obviously left untended, bar a complicated system of hydroponics, this find is worth an absolute fortune.

Naturally, there is only one sensible thing to do- they find that mutual greed cements their unlikely friendships – they must sell it. Having never before entered the shady world of drug dealing, the students begin to find themselves out of their depth. Whilst they are out celebrating their colossal earnings, things back home
go awry.

A dark figure clambers into the deserted house and heads for the basement - turns on the lights and reveals nothing but the remnants of the former plantation. Anger quickly builds into rage as the intruder screams for vengeance.

Unaware, Emma unlocks the front door... and hearing something, she moves towards the basement. A man rushes for her. Panic-stricken, Emma manages to slam shut the basement door, locking him in. The intruder bashes on the door, threatening her with a long and lingering death...

The students must review their options. There are none! As the pressure from their hostage mounts, so their shaky relationships begin to implode. Alliances form and collapse, and a lesson soon becomes apparent - crime should be left to the criminals!

Running time
89 minutes

Starring
Willa O’Neil
Neil Rea
Taika Cohen

Directed and co-written by
Robert Sarkies and
Duncan Sarkies

Produced by Lisa Chatfield

A Nightmare production in association with the NZFC, NZ On Air, Film 2 and Portman.

Official Selection -
World Audience Award - Sundance 2000