The Fear of 13 is a psychological thriller, where Nick, a death row inmate, petitions the court to be executed. As he goes on to tell his story, it gradually becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems. His story has all the twists and turns of classic crime drama with a final shocking twist casts everything in a new light.
Nicholas Yarris, a prisoner on death row in the US, who asked that his appeals process be terminated and his execution carried out, tells his own story in this feature-length documentary portrait. With his sculpted cheekbones and thoughtful demeanour, he holds court with all the screen presence and storytelling nous of a great actor, as British documentarist David Sington's cannily structured film unfolds a personal history where tragic circumstances, bitter injustice and unyielding determination all have their part to play. The enigmatic title refers to Yarris's pride in developing his reading skills during his decades behind bars, to the point where he can now use words like "triskaidekaphobia" (fear of the number 13), but there are many more mysteries to unpack here. We look back to understand the significance of the young boy in the woods seen in the opening credits, and forward to realise the life-affirming resolution of Yarris's ultimate fate - the outcome a fascinating, compelling and ultimately very moving true story.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Nick Yarris | Nick Yarris |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | David Sington |
