A SOUTHEND film writer and director is set to release a UK battle rap film in cinemas nationwide this week, following filming which revolved around Southend.

‘VS.’, directed by Southender, Ed Lilly, in partnership with the BBC, tells the story of troubled 17-year-old Adam – played by rising actor Connor Swindells – who has been in the care system for most of his life and heads back to his birthplace of Southend to find his mother.

Along the way, he finds himself thrown into the underground battle rap scene, where he finds his feet and his voice.

Mr Lilly, who decided to feature Southend in the storyline and film many of the scenes there, said: “Firstly, I’m from Southend, but we also wanted to try and progress the teen culture genre forward by avoiding certain things that have been done before.

“We wanted it to be regional and not to focus so much on gang and knife crime.”

The film has been described by many as the UK’s version of 8 Mile – The 2002 hit film which told the story of US rap superstar, Eminem.

However Ed Lilly explained: “People are quite surprised by what battle rap is in the UK now.

“It’s acapella, it’s pre-written, which is very different from the freestyle on-beat stuff they have seen in films like 8 Mile.”

Co-writer, Daniel Hayes, focused on the foster care aspect while Lilly, who had directed low budget rap music videos before, concentrated on the battle-rap side of things.

Mr Lilly, who attempted to bring his co-writer up to speed on the dynamic battle-rap scene, added: “Dan was struck by how clever, witty, funny and intelligent the young people were and how there was such good camaraderie and a community feel.”

Other members of the cast include, Games of Thrones star, Fola Evans-Akingbola, who plays Makayla, and rappers Paigey Cakey and Shotty Horroh who play Miss Quotes and Slaughter. VS. is out in cinemas on Friday.