Project Detail

The Cost of Hugging

Name: The Cost of Hugging
Director: Louis Bhose
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2024
Duration: 9 min 12 sec

Synopsis

Erica hugs pandas for a living and is absolutely miserable. And when hidden-camera TV star Jacques Burton tries to chat her up in the bar of the Hotel Samos, there’s a few other things he might be surprised to find out.
Official Selection Galway Film Fleadh 2024
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2024

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Details

Year: 2024
Type of project: Shorts
Running time: 9 min 12 sec
Format: Digital
Director: Louis Bhose
Producer: Precious Mahaga, Ynez Myers
Executive Producer: Hayley Williams, Myles Payne, David Staniland, Aaron Z. Willson
Editor: Jack Williams
Screenwriter: Louis Bhose
Director of Photography: Murren Tullett
Production Designer: Katherine Burke
Sound: Marcin Pawlik
Composer: Benjamin Garrett, Rae Morris
Principal cast: Josie Walker, Jonathan Aris, Paul Chahidi

Genre

Comedy Drama

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Agile Films

68-72 Redchurch Street
London
E2 7DP

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Sylvie is a 15-year old teenager passionate about photography. When she meets a photographer, Michael (36), taking portraits on the street, she hands her his camera and invites her to his studio. While Sylvie imagines he wants to help her, Riz, her best friend, warns that if a guy is talking to her, he’s only interested in one thing. Despite Riz’s remarks, Sylvie can’t help wondering what it might feel like to be seen through his lens. At the studio, Michael and Sylvie connect. She picks things up quickly, taking photos of him, then he takes one of her. Hesitant at first, she leans into it and starts to pose. When he turns away, seemingly uninterested, Sylvie removes her trousers. His light-touch manipulation has worked: she feels self-possessed, and in control. She leaves walking on air, already imagining the photo he took of her for his upcoming exhibition. She can’t wait to tell Riz. But at the exhibition opening, reality hits: an anonymous photo of her blood-stained knickers hangs on the wall instead. When Sylvie returns and sees Michael, she pretends everything’s Okay. And as the music swells, she seduces him and marks him with her menstrual blood.

Drama