Kickstarter

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:

I was sitting on a plane when I read “Bella Fleace Gave A Party”. Everything about the story; its terrible irony, the faded grandeur, the revived and feisty spirit of an elderly lady – made me jump up with the complete and sudden impulse that this was a film that had to be made and I had to make it.

Why? Firstly, it’s a Waugh story and all Waugh stories should be made into film. Secondly – this one stood out to me for the simplicity of Bella’s action. An old Irish aristocrat decides to throw one final blowout party before she dies. To hell with old age, I will go out laughing.

There is so much to explore with this incredibly beautiful and wild idea. I loved the thought that an elderly lady would rebel, throw caution to the wind, and pour her last drop of energy into a celebration of her house, spirit and life before she died.

I was also attracted to the symbolic nature of the story. It is the early 1930s and Bella and her house lie in decay, just as an entire generation and social structure crumble around her after the First World War. Bella’s last action, of throwing a party, is a final farewell to a way of life that was on it's very last legs.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT?

Hopefully with your help! We have assembled an incredible team, far beyond our expectations for a student film. Sian Phillips will play the lead, and John Standing the butler. It is a huge honour to have them on board.

In order to do this wonderful story justice, we need to make sure all the elements in the film are just right. The first step was finding the right actors. Tick! The second; the location. We will shoot in a beautiful 17th Century stately home. The third; a great crew - which we have and still are assembling from amongst the most talented of New York and London's young film-makers.

There are so many vital factors to make this story a great film. But we really need funds to help us along our way. Camera equipment, lighting equipment, period costumes, food for the crew... It all adds up.

Every little helps so please do get involved. It's going to be a very special project and this is a great opportunity to support young film-makers at the start of their careers.