Project Detail

Mrs Benz

Synopsis

Step into the shoes of Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz and inventor of the first automobile. Set in 1886 Germany, explore the workshop and discover Bertha's backstory, search for the blueprints to the world's first car, assemble the engine for her husband's invention, and embark on a road trip that will change the course of history.
Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2022 - World premiere
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2023 - North American premiere

Details

Year: 2022
Type of film: Shorts
Running time: 40 min
Format: XR
Director: Eloise Singer
Producer: Siobhan McDonnell
Executive Producer: Dave Ranyard, Eloise Singer
Sound: Sound Design: Matthew McGuinness
Composer: Mike Ladouceur
Principal cast: Melanie Cura Daball, David Brückner, Moritz Bleibtreu

Genre

Woman Director Drama

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Singer Studios Ltd

Siobhan McDonnell

siobhan.mcdonnell@singerstudios.co.uk

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Elizabeth and Nicholas Newall disappear amidst the Great Storm of 1987 on Jersey. Mismatching alibis, gossip and questionable police work points to their sons, Rod and Mark. The case becomes a murder investigation when forensics discover blood, but without substantial evidence, the case goes cold. The Newalls are declared dead and the brothers leave the island, claiming the nearly £1million inheritance. Mark thrives in finance but Rod is consumed by guilt while travelling. Rod returns in 1992 and the police covertly record his murder confession. Rod leaves partway, outmanoeuvring the police in a motorway chase but is later arrested at gun-point in international waters on the HMS Argonaut, beginning a long extradition process in Gibraltar. Mark is arrested in Paris, but continues to manipulate Rod and the legal proceedings. Corruption, bribery and escape attempts lead the prosecutors to agree a secret deal with the defence. Rod pleads guilty to double murder and reveals the bodies whilst Mark pleads guilty only to aiding and abetting. Rod serves 12 years, Mark just 20 months. Mark claims the inheritance and now both have disappeared - neither the police nor the Jersey community know their whereabouts. Questions of motive, corruption and money remain unanswered.