An Elegant, Understated Voyage of Guilt And Desire in New Film, “Bubbles”
Leyla Pope is carving her niche in a heavily male dominated industry, winning the respect of her peers for her intelligent, calm handling of all processes in film. Her new film, "Bubbles", delves deep beyond the facades of relationships, prying into subconscious desires and buried feelings. Leaving her audience literally charged by the emotional journey.
Just as the novels of Jane Austen dissected and explored the choices for women in marriage and love, writer and director, Leyla Pope, is asking those same questions in her evocative new film, “Bubbles”. With many of today’s films ranging in strata from violent, crime-fuelled “street” movies to upmarket period dramas, “Bubbles” reveals the world of a lesser-known quantity; the modern-day upper class family. Afflicted with tension, guilt and desire across three generations, the visually rich, Merchant-Ivory feel of “Bubbles” takes the audience on an emotional journey and not always a comfortable one.
A potent blend of classic storytelling and contemporary British drama, “Bubbles”, is a huge milestone for an upcoming female director, juggling the roles of wife and mother, in an industry that is still very much a male-dominated work environment, where only 6% of directors are women. The film’s production team is endorsed with heavily experienced industry professionals including Bafta-winning cinematographer, Huw Walters, and John Richards, (Little Black Book, Band of Brothers) as Executive Producer.
The central character in “Bubbles” is Lily, a strong, intelligent woman struggling with suppressed desires and tense family dynamics. Following the death of her mother, Lily has little support from her husband who is deeply absorbed in his latest composition and unable to relate to Lily's tension as she begins to organise her father's move out of the family home. In the midst of this turmoil, a former lover appears and Lily finds her ordered life thrown out of balance. Buried feelings emerge and Lily begins to question her life's choices. Will she live life as her mother did, putting expectation above desire? Or will she confront her feelings at the risk of unraveling the life she has built for herself? As Lily's inner turmoil surfaces her young teenage daughter begins her own journey of sexual awakening; a difficult, complex voyage.
Leyla’s rigorous casting process and instinct brought together a talented and balanced cast, including Welsh acting legend Howell Evans. Across the cast there is a vast amount of experience in TV and film:
Vanessa Bailey – Mother, Efa Blosse-Mason – Daughter, Howell Evans - The Grandfather, Jason Denyer – Father, Liam Burgoyne - Stepson and Laurence Patrick – Carpenter.
Shot on location at a dramatic Grade II listed manor house “Plas Dinam” in Mid Wales, Leyla manages to capture not only the authentic interior of an historic family home but also panoramic external shots. The film needed an original score that would help the audience to feel the changing emotional dynamics of each character. Composer, Jack Westmore, was the perfect choice for this crucial element of the film. With incredible sensitivity to story dynamic and emotion, Jack wrote a score integrating solo cello into themes which are haunting and lyrical and perfectly express the contained but shifting restlessness of the film. Soloist, Rosie Biss, is lead cellist with The Welsh National Opera and masterfully interprets Jack’s score, bringing to life the complex emotions which are written into the music.
Now that post-production is finished, “Bubbles” is only just beginning the journey to reach a national and international audience. Bottlegreen Productions is actively pursuing development of the pilot into a full-length feature. There is a private London screening later this month at the Soho Screening Rooms, for those interested in furthering the development of “Bubbles”. A trailer of the film can be viewed at www.shortfilmbubbles.com
With a combination of visual beauty, a strong plot and an emphasis on celebrating “Britishness”, “Bubbles” is very much a showcase for the best in British creativity. Opportunities to collaborate with fashion designers, songwriters and musicians, perfumiers, luxury car brands, interior design etc are abound. The film is a canvas on which to paint a highly marketable picture of the best of British on many levels. For more information on supporting “Bubbles” and investment opportunities, or for any other information you may require about the film, please visit the “Bubbles” website at www.shortfilmbubbles.com
ENDS
Website: www.shortfilmbubbles.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Bubbles-Short-Film/173451646048497
Twitter: @bubblesfilm
Tumblr: http://bubblesshortfilm.tumblr.com/
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