Projects in genres: Music

Synopsis

A short drama/dance piece about a tempestuous relationship played out on an urban rooftop.

Synopsis

In Love with Alma Cogan is an independant British feature film with music, set on and around Cromer Pier in North Norfolk.

This gentle romantic comedy tells the story of Norman, the manager of the theatre on the pier at a once grand East Coast holiday resort. Norman has worked at the theatre all his life and despite the efforts of Sandra, his long-serving and suffering assistant, he will not accept that the local council, which owns the theatre, may be serious about putting it into the hands of commercial management.

The council bring in Eddie Richards to ‘help’ with the winter programming. Eddie and Norman were teenage friends, but Norman doesn’t trust him and Sandra, Norman’s loyal assistant becomes increasingly concerned about Norman’s state of mind.

As the plot unfolds, Norman realises that it may be time to move on and put behind him the ghost of the fifties and sixties singing star Alma Cogan, who he feels has overshadowed his life since he met her one night over forty years ago. He and Sandra leave the theatre, she to 'take flight' and fulfil her dream of being a professional singer and he to be with her.

Synopsis

Taking its name from an alternative reading of the name for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kannon, KanZeOn, which can be translated as "she who hears the cries of the world", is an unorthodox but utterly magical meditation on sound and the ritual and philosophical role it plays in Japanese Buddhism. Filmed in Kyushu, the film looks at, and more importantly listens to, three very special Japanese musicans: Akinobu Tatsumi, the young Buddhist priest and custodian of a temple outside of Kumamoto City who moonlights as a hip-hop DJ while indulges his love of beat boxing in the remote forests; Eri Fujii, who has devoted her life to the mastery of the sho, a rare and ancient Chinese bamboo wind instrument evoking the cry of the phoenix, and Akihiro Iitomi, a master of Noh theatre and a kotsuzumi drum player whose love of jazz almost matches that of his passion for Japan’s traditional performing arts.

As a documentary, KanZeOn does not seek to explain as much as to enlighten, taking the viewer on a hypnotic sensual journey from the timeless to the modern by way of a mystical parade of images that resonate seamlessly with the sounds.

Synopsis

This is a movie which fuses the stately grandeur of Gosford Park with the magical music of Amadeus for a unique story of love's fluctuating fortunes, set against a sumptuous backdrop of visual and vocal beauty. As the cast, drama and score all tread the tightrope of tone between humour and pathos, what unfolds is a timeless romantic comedy.

Adam is a rich industrialist, who aspires to a more cultured world. Spurred on by playful jibes that he's little more than a city suit living the capitalist's dream, this frustrated amateur opera singer decides to throw an opera in his lavish country retreat. Once his friends see him belting out the notes, he feels sure it will spell the end to their shallow taunts. In fact, it might even help him win the hand of a female conductor he's been pursuing whom it just so happens' is the first to be recruited for his showpiece.

A troupe of sexy young singers are garnered and the stage is set for a night all will remember.

Synopsis

For two lovers moments pass in solitude, in reminiscence of tenderness and intimacy, no journeys are embarked upon, no words are spoken, no change is visible and life stands as it is lived in togetherness and ecstasy.

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1990. The rave scene has arrived from Ibiza and warehouse parties are exploding across the UK bringing phenomenal wealth to the organisers. In Manchester, best mates Matt and Dylan are in their early 20's and long to be more than just punters. As the government moves to outlaw the scene, it's now or never and they quickly rise through the ranks to join the promoting elite. They are taken on a wild journey from the exclusive VIP rooms of London clubs to the outrageous parties in Ibiza super-villas and the hedonism of Amsterdam. It's everything they dreamed of and more. But as their success continues to grow, they attract a more dark and sinister world. Matt and Dylan start to drift apart as they are forced to question the dreams they set out to achieve and their once solid friendship.

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Roger Sargent's behind-the-scenes documentary of The Libertines reunion concerts at Reading and Leeds festivals in 2010 starting with the NME cover shoot announcing the events following the band through rehearsals and warm up shows to the final show at Reading Festival.

Honest and revealing interviews with each member of the band along with a tour around The Libertines' haunts in the East End of London with singer Carl Barat creates a personal and intimate film about, arguably, Britain's most influential band of the past decade.

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A tribute to the late German choreographer, Pina Bausch, as her dancers perform her most famous creations.

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A young girl is overshadowed by her sister, a brilliant ballerina who died before she was born. Her sister comes back and releases her from her shadow.

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Body of War reflects how a man becomes a soldier through relentless repetition of acts of violence. The psyche of a human as he learns to integrate the willingness to kill. The Normandy Landing setting, testimonies of former soldiers. Body of War shows human intimacy and the brutality of war.

Synopsis

Eileen is a mother of two children, who are both about to fly the nest. Summer stretches out in front of the family who, except for Eileen, have plans to go abroad, to a festival, to their dad's wedding. A new relationship suddenly comes into her life, and briefly she blooms. However Bill the new boyfriend, a pot smoking ex-cricketer has his own problems.

Their fling opens the door to insecurity and paranoia for Eileen, and one day under the guise of celebrating her new 'love' she has a drink. Once she starts she doesn't stop.

The film treads a constant line between darkness and humour as it moves from its beginning in a sedate suburban cricket club to its conclusion at a music festival.

Synopsis

Elliott Steel and Jessica Starkins animated short Condimental Love; A stop motion animation that tells the tale of Love and Forgiveness, light heartedly reflect by table top condiments.

Elliott’s first short with a 'Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers' dance style and essence has caught peoples attentions with its excellent use of stop frame, music and underlying subtle metaphors of the tale of daily love.