The tall, handsome Abdul Karim was just twenty-four years old when he arrived in England from Agra to wait at tables during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. An assistant clerk at Agra Central Jail, he suddenly found himself a personal attendant to the Empress of India herself. Within a year, he was established as a powerful figure at court, becoming the queen's teacher or Munshi, and instructing her in Urdu and Indian affairs. Devastated by the death of John Brown, her Scottish ghillie, the queen had at last found a replacement. But her intense and controversial relationship with the Munshi led to a near revolt in the royal household.
A tender love story between an ordinary Indian and his elderly queen, a relationship that survived the best attempts to destroy it.
Based on the book 'Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closet Confidant' by Shrabani Basu.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2017 - Special Presentations
Carter is a Graphic Design student in London who would describe himself as a bit of a loner. After a drunken night Carter takes himself off to bed and slips into a deep sleep. He's has the most wonderful dream about his perfect woman. He knows the person is just part of a dream and doesn't exist. But does she?
A short essay film by artist animator, Jessica Ashman. Using animation and recorded interviews of eight other women of colour artists, the film explores navigating the visual art and animation world as a black face in a white space.
A young woman struggles to recover from an ex-lover's attack. Escaping through books and imagination, she wanders around her favorite park to seek solace.
A redemption thriller following underworld criminal Marley, as he struggles to overcome his feelings of grief and guilt after killing a young mother.
Marley is asked to identify the body of his estranged junkie mother. Later, in a fragile emotional state, he encounters a Romanian woman called Ana and her 9 year old daughter Cristina. During a confrontation over an unpaid debt he accidentally kills Ana. Marley goes to jail for manslaughter but soon realises that Ana has returned as a manifestation of his guilt. Eventually they forge an uneasy truce on the understanding that he will take care of Cristina upon his release.
By the time Marley is released, Cristina is a teenager. Determined to set things right, he goes on a mission to find her. He discovers that Cristina has been absorbed into a dark world of corruption and people trafficking. He must use his criminal skills and knowledge of the brutal underworld to save her.
A redemption story of the deepest, darkest noir in the territory of 'A Prophet' or 'Biutiful'.
Edinburgh International FIlm Festival 2017 - World premiere
Hampstead Village, London, is famous for its beautiful and much-loved Heath; a piece of quiet countryside in a vast metropolis. Living on the edge of the Heath is American widow Emily Walters, who can't quite focus on the things that need attention since her husband’s death; like her crumbling old apartment, diminishing finances and even her son, Philip.
One day while looking out across the Heath from her attic window, Emily spies a ramshackle hut, which appears to be inhabited by an unkempt man. After witnessing him being attacked by a group of professional thugs, she calls the police and watches through her binoculars as help arrives. The next day she ventures into the woods in search of him.
The man, Donald has lived quietly and harmoniously on the edge of the Heath for 17 years but his lifestyle is under threat - his home is the target of property developers who’ve started using heavy-handed tactics to remove him. He is naturally suspicious of Emily and politely rebuffs her attention, but despite his gruff exterior, there is something gentle and alluring about him. When Emily discovers that her friend Fiona is leading a community initiative in support of the developers, she bravely steps up to take Donald's side in the escalating battle to save his peaceful Heath dwelling. Though her son Philip tries to persuade her to retire gracefully to the country, she is determined to defend the emotional and physical livelihood of this quiet and unusual man - a man who might just be the person to sweep her off her feet.
Inspired by a true story, a charming and funny life-affirming tale about how love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that age is no barrier to second chances.
'Julius Caesar' depicts the catastrophic consequences of a political leader's extension of his powers beyond the remit of the constitution. As Brutus (played by Harriet Walter) wrestles with his moral conscience over the assassination of Julius Caesar (as played by Jackie Clune), Mark Antony (Jade Anouka) manipulates the crowd through his subtle and incendiary rhetoric to frenzied mob violence.
Described by The Observer as "One of the most important theatrical events of the past twenty years", this event cinema production by the Donmar Warehouse is the first part of Phyllida Lloyd's 'Shakespeare Trilogy'.
Edinburgh International FIlm Festival 2017 - World premiere
Football is Charlie’s joy. When he has the ball at his feet, he can make magic happen - a gift that many teenage boys only dream of. Now the opportunity for Charlie to play professionally has come along. It looks like Charlie will be able to succeed where his father could not.
But Charlie has a secret, a secret locked in his heart. Now, with his future seemingly mapped out, the secret cannot stay hidden any longer. Charlie’s decision to reveal the truth tears his once united family apart and puts his friends in turmoil. No-one is quite sure of themselves or each other anymore and the road back to harmony is paved with obstacles, prejudices and confusion.
Animated feature film about the life and mysterious death of Vincent Van Gogh, recounted through the Post-Impressionist’s paintings and the characters that inhabit them. Featuring over 120 of Van Gogh’s greatest paintings, the plot, drawn from the 800 letters written by the painter himself, leads to the significant people and events in the time leading up to his unexpected death.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2017 - Create Strand
Guy's Girl highlights how female DJ’s are represented in London’s predominantly male music scene. The title Guy's Girl is ironic and with the documentary we aim to reinforce the fact that female DJs are just DJs and, despite popular belief, "don't mix with their vaginas."
‘Moulding Exclusivities’ anatomises a series of sculptures utilising the remnants of prosthetic manufacture. The camera renders plastic leftovers from the fabrication of wearable braces for spinal adjustment. Arens surveys with part-organic part-animated movement the disservice of standardised office and living environments for the human body.
Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018 - International premiere
