Miss Brill is a story about loneliness, nostalgia and second
childhood. Inspired by Katherine Mansfield’s 1920 short story of an estranged
woman living in a small, rural town, this short film takes this experience of
loneliness but transposes it into a contemporary London setting. Miss Brill is
now older, living in the heart and buzz of central London but still
disconnected from the interactions of people around her. Retired and widowed,
everyday she walks through the bustling streets of the city centre to her
special bench in Russell Square. Here she observes the vibrancy of city-life:
the everyday routines of ordinary people and the exchanges they make offer both
a thrill and comfort to Miss Brill. But on the day we meet our central
character the strength of her illusions are put to the test by a rude couple
and she is left seeming more lonely and vulnerable than ever.
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Through
a series of sensitive vignettes we are summoned into Miss Brill’s
fantasy world, its beauty and its fragility.
Meet the Team
Writer/Director: Tyro Heath
Whilst studying English at Cambridge Tyro also dabbled in set design, became one of the art directors for a new feminist magazine Ladybeard and initiated and co-curated an art exhibition. She is proud to say this is her first script and directorial debut.
Director's statement
'I was a pupil at Queen’s College, where every year they hold a short story competition in honour of another old Queen’s girl, Katherine Mansfield. The first competition that I remember encountering shares its name with her short story ‘How Pearl Button was Kidnapped’, but I never entered it. It wasn’t until studying Modernism and the Short Story at Cambridge that I realised its quiet and instinctual power which, in Hemingway’s words, could ‘make people feel something more than they understood.’ In these stories we take the time to meet characters who are left out of a world that is moving too fast; and in turn we are deeply moved by them and their experiences. I think there is something extremely poignant and telling in ‘Miss Brill’ which we all experience when we see, think about quietly and then ignore, those people sitting in the park observing by themselves. I am not talking about the confident girl who occasionally eats lunch sitting on a bench by herself. I mean the person just sat in the park. She is always sitting there. ‘
Producer: Madeleine Shenai
Whilst at Bristol University Madeleine directed and produced
a number of short films including the experimental short film 'Hunter’s End.' Since graduating, she has
trained as a script supervisor on Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror: White
Christmas and worked as script reader and researcher for both Element Pictures and Sayle Screen, alongside producing ‘Miss
Brill.’
Producer: Florence Cleverdon
Since graduating in 2014 Florence has gained valuable production experience with Working Title Films Ltd and BBC Worldwide and is cutting her teeth working on independent feature films. She joined Belle Époque Films this year as their London Producer and Coordinator. Florence is producing 'Miss Brill' with Madeleine, getting it off the ground and making it a reality.
The Cast
Miss Brill: Ann Queensberry
Ann is known for her role in the hit running series
Tenko and was recently cast in Benedict Andrews Production of Three Sisters at the Young Vic. Former credits include Empire of the Sun, City of Ember and Julia.
Lily: Gala Gordon
After graduating from Guildhall School of Drama in 2012, Gala made her professional stage debut alongside Ann in Three Sisters at the Young Vic. She recently filmed her first feature film 'Kids in Love', alongside Cara Delevigne.
The Crew
Director of Photography: Kate Molins
Since graduating from London Film Academy, Kate has been busying herself assisting many talented cinematographers, as well as shooting a few documentaries, a horror short, films for artist Zoë Hough, and music videos for the likes of E.M.M.A and Little Racer.
Art Department: Carla Chapman & Minnie Carver
The talented Carla is in her second year at Kingston University studying Interior Design and Minnie is an accomplished artist who recently
graduated from Glasgow School of Art. With Carla's detailed concept boards and design and Minnie's careful prop selection, they are helping to imagine
and perfect Miss Brill’s world.
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Composer: David Ridley
David is a composer for film
and theatre. He read music at Bristol University, where he was awarded a
full scholarship to study for a Masters in Composition. Since graduating 18 months ago, he has
worked as an associate artist with the theatre company Bucket Club, and won the
MTN award for innovation for his live score for Lorraine & Alan. He has also orchestrated and arranged
music for BBC1, Channel 4 and the Royal Ballet, and will be scoring his first
feature film, Run for your Life, this Autumn.
What ‘Miss Brill’ Means Today
The charity 'Friends of the Elderly' are dedicated to tackling issues surrounding loneliness in old age that, like Miss Brill, people face every day. They provide support for the elderly with the hope of creating a society in which older people are treated with respect. If you would like to donate to their cause or become a friend of the elderly then follow this link - http://www.fote.org.uk/
Age UK’s current 'Campaign
to End Loneliness' serves as a powerful reminder of the many Miss Brill figures
out there. One of our influential resources for the film has been their documentary videos which visit the elderly generation in their own homes.
Why we need your help!
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We have hired a Red Scarlet camera, the same camera that was used to film The Hobbit, Jurassic World, The Age of Adeline and many more, in order to reach the artistic quality that the film deserves! We have an original score being composed specifically for the film, including a piece that will be performed live by accordian player Donald Ross 'one of London's most reputable accordionists.'
We are submitting 'Miss Brill' to film festivals such as Underwire, Raindance and BFI London Film Festival. The project genuinely means a great deal to everyone involved and we believe it is channeling some really important and current issues. If we go above our target the money will be spent on further festival submission fees internationally.
Your contributions to the film make every difference.
Thank you so much!
