Projects in genres: Woman Director

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.

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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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A reflection on the nature of time and memory based on the true story of the director’s family escaping the build up to what became known as "The Slansky Trials": the first explicitly anti-Semitic show trial in Eastern Europe.

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Tentative gestures of hands and body become symbolic of opposing emotions involved in closeness to one person, trust – the need to escape. (LUX) Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018

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In this film about the resistance to progress at the expense of history, Maeve Brennan's wonderfully poignant documentary intertwines three stories of men in contemporary Lebanon. Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018

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A provocation against dominant power structures, augmenting feelings of chronic unease, protest and dissent by intertwining spoken word, over-groomed toupees and advancing super-moons, pizzas and drones. Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018

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In the Highlands of Scotland, a girl suffers the suicide of her best friend. In a town renowned for it’s growing suicide rate, she spirals into a mid-twenties crisis. Witty and sarcastic, her manner is rapid and quick fire. If only someone could hear her hilarity. She can’t seem to connect with anyone and her awareness of mortality consumes her. She forms relationships with various men in attempts to find herself again. She meets a man simultaneously enduring a mid-life crisis and she develops an anonymous connection with an old man over the phone who is at the end of his own life. None of them give her the answers she needs and ultimately, she is left to confront herself, and what's truly haunting her. Written and directed by Karen Gillan, this surreal coming of age tale is her love letter to her hometown.

Synopsis

Ophelia is the Queen of Denmark’s most trusted lady-in-waiting. She soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet and a forbidden love blossoms. As war brews, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore Castle apart from within and Ophelia must decide between her true love or her own life in order to protect a very dangerous secret. A reimagining of Shakespeare’s famed tragedy 'Hamlet'. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2018 - Premieres - World premiere

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Dame Vivienne Westwood: punk, icon, provocateur and one of the most influential originators in recent history. This is the first film to encompass the remarkable story of her life, her fashion, her activism and her cultural importance, as she fights to maintain her brand‘s integrity, her principles – and her legacy. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2018 - World Cinema Documentary Competition - World premiere