OVERVIEW

A young woman is brought back to her childhood home in the country with three things to reckon with: the imminent death of her father, her estranged mother and the dragon following her around.

A script shortlisted for the UK Parliament's FilmTheHouse Awards 2022.

SYNOPSIS

Cam is on the train back to the family home. Her father is in the hospital, having just suffered what looks to be his final heart attack. In the half world between asleep and awake, Cam spots something flying among the clouds. It’s too big to be a bird. It looks more like a dragon. She watches it for a moment, then closes her eyes and goes back to sleep.

Was it just a reflection? Or was it real?
And has she even seen it before, a long time ago?

As she steps back into her old home - and her past - Cam’s time alone with her mother, Iris, brings a number of things to the surface. Latent anger, resentment and a strange ability to move things with her mind. And not only that, the dragon seems to have followed her there.

THE SCRIPT

'A Reflection' has been nominated for Best Script at the 'Film The House', a competition run by MPs to find the filmmakers of the future. 

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

This is not a fantasy film. It is a balancing act between a raw, family drama and a magical realist allegory. As ‘realist’ suggests, we’ll be going for a humanist style of filmmaking - the ‘magic’ we see is not overwhelming, or even that surprising, to our characters. It is simply part of their lived-in experience.

We want to tell an honest, nuanced story about a dysfunctional family. And by treating that side of things as primary, we’ll allow the magical elements of the story to organically seep into our film. And as with all magical realism, the unexplainable is never explained, it is simply made clear what it represents.

The vast majority of the film is set at dawn - but this will feel like a dawn that never fully breaks. The sun is threatening to come out but never quite does. The day feels eternally young. And the setting - the beautiful Somerset countryside - has more than a hint of magic and myth to it. The perfect canvas for a story of magic and reality colliding.

THE TEAM

LAURIE

BELLA

NIAMH

Our story is fundamentally about two women, from very different generations, trying to make their relationship as a mother and daughter work. These are flawed, real women. Our lead character Cam can be brattish and recalcitrant, but also thoughtful and imaginative. She has rejected her upbringing in the countryside, her religion, and she’s created an impressive life for herself miles away in the city.

Her mother, Iris, isn’t the warmest of people but she is perhaps a product of her own upbringing. She treats Cam with a coldness that would scar any child, but can she help it?

The way these two negotiate their morning together is an honest representation of the difficulties that adult mothers and daughters can face.

BUDGET

Our overall budget for the film is £10,000, but we have already raised £2,000 through private funding, and are looking to raise £8,000 through Indiegogo. The budget is tight, but thanks to the passion and skill of everyone involved, we're confident we can deliver a story of depth and meaning that makes an impact on our audience. 

Why this film, Why now?

In today's world it's easy to become alienated and disconnected from home and family once you 'leave the nest'. Over lockdown many people have found themselves sifting through what's important to them, and reconnecting with parts of themselves that had previously been lost - including family. 

This films speaks to that reflection and asks if we can use it as a way to heal.

This is a collaboration between Backscatter Productions and Long Time Dead Productions

Backscatter Productions are an award-winning, female led, London based production company, set up in 2019 by Isabella Speaight and Molly Murphy. Since their inception they have produced numerous award winning shorts and are currently in production of their arthouse anthology feature film 'Kink', which explores underrepresented tales of desire, intimacy and sexuality.

Long Time Dead Productions was founded by actors and writers Katie Glaister and Sam Landon during the first wave of COVID-19. Their first film Being There won Best Narrative Short at London's Indie Short Festival and winner of  the London Film & Television's Festival as well as multiple others. 

Risks and challenges

Of course there will always be challenges and risks when undertaking a film project. We will need good insurance and meticulous preparation. The shoot will take place in multiple locations which creates the need to travel, but we will implement measure to reduce our carbon footprint by:

1. Travelling by public transport wherever possible

2. Travelling 'in group' - in one van when not on public transport 

Other Ways You Can Help

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