Projects in genres: Woman Director

Synopsis

The poignant and personal story of 13 year-old Khushboo. A portrait of a rape victim caught in the devious ploys of her family. Stories of the horror of her gang-rape, emotional abuse at the hands of her grandmother, who orchestrated her rape, and that of her child marriage to a man she does not know are poignantly woven. As Khushboo changes hands from one abuser to another, we delve deeper into her grandmother’s story – to where this circle traces back. Told simplistically through an observational lens, this intimate and delicate film attempts an understanding of the nature of abuse, and a closer look at the perpetrator, as much as it does of the victim itself. Where does this circle begin? Where does it go? And can there be any release? Official Selection Berlinale 2018 - Berlinale Shorts - World premiere

Synopsis

Featuring a district in Yerevan, Armenia, where the legacy of the Soviet Union still occupies the minds and daily lives of the residents living in these huge unfinished monolithic structures, which were originally planned and positioned to spell out the letters CCCP. The film highlights the community's everyday issues and concerns, linking the past and present with all its changes and difficulties of the people once living in a superpower that has now become a decaying empire. Official Selection Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2019 - International Competition

Synopsis

Chris Eden-Green has been producing films about steam trains since 2012, and has a strong following of loyal rail fans from all over the world eagerly awaiting his latest DVDs and YouTube programmess. Fans liken his programmes to 'Top Gear' for steam trains. ('Top Gear' is a popular British TV show about cars). He knows he'll never be a millionaire from doing this but he's passionate about steam trains and he doesn't care much what you think about that. His fans have supported him via crowdfunding to take a trip to Germany to make a film about German steam trains. Together with his friends Sam and Adam they drive from Kent in England, to the Netherlands then on to Germany where they are challenged by the weather and unfamiliar timetables at Brocken Mountain, in the beautiful Harz National Park in Saxony, Germany. Very picturesque, if only the damned weather would behave itself! Chris has Aspergers but it doesn't define him. Making films about trains is his way of escaping from the often frustrating world that surrounds us all. Things may be shitty sometimes but if you focus on what is happening right now, you'll be alright.

Synopsis

A surrealist tale about the all-encompassing nature of living with guilt.

Synopsis

What cures women of sexual promiscuity? Eating lettuce, of course. Fragments of Forough Farokhzad’s poem, Sin, are read out against Islamic clergies advising women on how to control their lust. Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2018

Synopsis

Katrine leads an ordinary life with a regular job and a happy relationship until one day she wakes up and begins to see her world for what it really is. Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2018 - Cinéfondation - World premiere Official Selection Annecy Film Festival 2018 - Graduation Films Competition

Synopsis

Borrowing from cinéma vérité and video bloggers to create a raw naturalism in style and performance, the demanding actor’s process and meticulously scripted dialogue result in a film that watches as a documentary, told through the eyes (and lens) of one of the main characters – first-time filmmaker Katie: an American rich kid, flippantly making a fly-on- the-wall observation of Alicja, an unemployed Polish actress. As Katie fumbles her way through making a “truthful” film, she slowly starts to understand the power she holds over her disturbing subject matter. Her disruptive presence in Alicja’s life mirrors the treatment of migrants in post-Brexit-vote England: welcomed, used, then discarded. A raw, sexual, visually brash cine-essay. Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018 - World premiere

Synopsis

1985. Tehran. Iran-Iraq war. For Marmar it is another ordinary afternoon at the grandparents'. The echo of "Death to America" chants from the morning school assembly mixes with 'The voice of America'; grandad's favourite radio programme. Marmar is waiting for granny to make her a dress exactly the same as the glamorous American popstar; Bright red. No straps.

Synopsis

Fisher returns home to East Belfast to reconnect with his daughter through the medium of karaoke, but is it too little too late?

Synopsis

A surrealistic action/comedy where a brave heart takes a wild journey inside the body to try to sort out the problems of a hungover morning.

Synopsis

A mixed-race child, Marvin Rees grew up in Bristol's ghettos in the UK with prostitution, violence and poverty on a daily basis. Ever since, Marvin had the desire to go against the injustices he experienced and decides to run for mayor. As a complete amateur, he steps into the world of politics. Despite his charisma and intellect, his biggest battle is believing anyone will take this black guy from the ghetto serious. In a tight race, he must accept his loss in front of rolling cameras. Though feeling personally ashamed, losing has even a greater significance as the city carries a history of exclusion and racism. Bristol was part of the slave trade, was struck by a civil rights movement in the 1960's inspired by Martin Luther King and had the black youth revolting in the 1980's, which caused a nationwide riot. Today it is the increasing fear of muslims that shatters the city. Despite his doubts, Marvin decides to run again. More professional, stronger and with the vital support of the muslim community. Will he manage to break the circle of history and become the first mayor of African decent of a city in Europe?

Synopsis

THE SEPARATION SYSTEM (2017/18) is a collaborative commission facilitated by FACT’s Veterans in Practice programme, produced by veterans through workshops at HMP Liverpool and HMP Altcourse with artist Katie Davies. Taking the form of both a single channel cinematic film and a two-screen immersive installation, the piece explores the distinct, yet interconnected, spaces of the military, custody and ‘civilian’ life. Exploring these spaces and the experiences within them through the notion of work, an everyday activity that unites these worlds and is familiar to us all, the film communicates what we, as a civilian audience, do not understand about the unique set of relations, actions and responsibilities held by the individuals within these spaces.