Projects in categories: Fiction

Synopsis

Based on a short story by the late Reginald Bretnor, Unknown Things is described as a tale of mystery, romance, antique mechanical objects and murder. Set in London, it stars Paul Rhys as an antique dealer whose obsessive infatuation with a married woman leads him on a quest for increasingly bizarre contraptions to satisfy her collector husband and thus remain close by her side.



"It's a fascinating and densely written piece with no violence or gunplay yet it is absolutely terrifying," claims first-time director Bruno Coppola. "It explores fear and a hidden power which means it doesn't conform to any formulas you often find in modern film-making."



Coppola had worked with co-producer Sarah Bradshaw for the BBC World Service and acquired the rights to Bretnor's work, thinking it might make an excellent low-budget feature. But the screenplay by Matthew Jansky attracted such interest that the project soon mushroomed.



"It caught the imagination of photographer Ken Westbury, who worked on some of the classic Dennis Potter pieces. I had never made a feature but once he came on board with his crew, people trusted him and we were able to secure an amazing cast. The initial rushes also created a wave of interest that brought in further financing."



Unknown Things has attracted the attention of a number of major distributors and is expected to make its debut on the festival circuit this autumn.

Synopsis

At a mysterious family gathering, a child is left to find out why his family has gathered in such suspicious circumstances and what is going on upstairs.

Synopsis

Us Boys is the story of Ernie Morrow an 80 year old bachelor farmer from the Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland. Without electricity, modern comforts and chemical fertilisers from the farm 'Old Church' stands still in time, representing an era of people and a country way that will soon be gone forever. It is a Spartan harsh life. Indeed the lifestyle of Ernie is one that this forefathers would easily connect to, only a tractor replacing the horse . . .

Synopsis

Seventeen year old Justine (Laura Fraser) is fed up with the lack of success she has with guys. It seems as though the boys have it easier. She's ready to take that big step, but with whom? To ensure she chooses the right candidate - her 'Mr Barcode' - Justine enlists the help of her worldly-wise best friend Fran (Marcelle Duprey). Alex (Kieran O'Brien), the school stud is the obvious choice. So together, Justine, Fran and their geeky friend Chas (Luke De Lacey) hatch a plot to get Alex to a computer show where he is bound to fall for Justine's charms. Only things don't go according to plan! At the last moment, Alex abandons the plotting trio in order to go out with the man-eating Hoover (Natasha Bell).





A deflated Justine wanders through the great halls while Chas is in his perfect world. None of the excitement of the show can soothe the rejection she feels until she is enticed into the make-over machine, the Narcissus. Their machine can give you the face you've dreamt of; in fact the 'you' of your fantasies can be yours with the help of the Narcissus!





Having created the perfect Justine on screen, she then sets about creating her ideal man.

Synopsis

A down-and-out and a film critic engage in conversation in a London cafe, sparking stormy exchanges in which the bum is forced to remember his past.

Synopsis

On Valentine's Day in Poland, a waitress changes her plans when she is asked to work, and old Polish love songs, belly-dancing and roses seduce her into pursuing a night with her boss.

Synopsis

In a pizza shop in north London, two pizza-makers argue about women and films. One is obsessed with Carry Ons, the other with a mysterious woman across the road. They are trapped in their own hell, but tonight one will escape.

Synopsis

The atmosphere among residents in a hospital during England's World Cup '98 opener reflects the warmth and excitement that percolates through a nation during such events.

Synopsis

Two men meet on a deserted beach for a sixth form reunion, but vicious Cat turns up to open old wounds.

Synopsis

John Salt is the kind of boy we all knew at school. Shy and awkward, he was the boy that no one talked to, the one picked on by the bullies and the one that, during science lessons, invariably set fire to his shirtsleeve with the Bunsen burner. Now grown up, nothing much has changed --- he's still alone and friendless, he still gets picked on by the much larger bullies in the street and he's still as accident-prone as ever. But, surprisingly in the face of so much adversity, he carries on.



"The film is optimistic, despite the terrible things that happen to the protagonist," says Adam Bell of his micro-budget debut, set in Liverpool. "John Salt won't quit. He feels ground down, he's got nothing to live for, everything goes wrong for him even though he's always desperately trying to fit in and impress people and yet he still gets out of bed in the morning. At first, he's someone you laugh at because he's such a loser but as the film goes on, you realise the struggle he goes through and you start to feel guilty about laughing."



Bell, whose short film credits include Last Of The Windswept Kids, shot the film over two weeks, with a tiny budget donated by family and friends. "We used the Robert Bresson approach, shooting on the hop with real people off the street and friends. It's got a documentary feel, which makes it much more authentic. But it was a nightmare shoot -- we didn't have the money to eat!" he says.



Budget constraints meant the film spent almost a year in post-production but it was completed in November last year and has had a handful of screenings in Liverpool, where it was warmly received by local critics.

Synopsis

We've Lived Here All Our Lives is a three minute film taking a quick look at Indians living in the UK. The film brings up issue that most Indians (Hindus) in the UK turn a blind eye to. It is a very bitter yet funny three-minute rant with visuals.

Synopsis

Lighthearted Andrew and Jennifer leave London on a sunny summer day for a weekend trip to the seaside. Their old car breaks down and they have to stay overnight in a little corny hotel. They try to make the best of the spoilt trip. But when Andrew learns the next morning that they will become parents soon, he gets into an argument with Jennifer and they set off back to London.