Image: Leading Lady Parts
You may laugh, you could well cry, you will certainly grind your teeth. And you will share it.
According to the site, ‘The short, produced by Rebel Park Productions’ Gemma Arterton, Jessica Malik and Jessica Parker in association with The Fyzz Facility, Hanway Films and Popcorn Group, is the first in a series aimed at shining a light on the portrayal of women in the media and the challenges women face in the workplace across all industries.’
It comes from the Time’s Up Movement (@TIMESUPNOW is cool Twitter), via Rebel Park Productions; more details on Comicsverse.
It is written and directed by Jessica Swale, who has turned to screen after a powerful career in theatre. She is really something – writer of Blue Stockings, All That Ends Will, Thomas Tallis, The Mission and Nell Gwynne, an Olivier Award winner, proprietor of the Red Handed Theatre Company, and ‘an Associate Artist with NGO Youth Bridge Global, who use theatre as a development tool in war torn countries’.
She describes herself as a theatre mongrel and a professional nomad. She is 36 years old. There is a fine interview with her on Broadway.
With fabulous talent to watch and incisive writing on a powerful issue, plus laughs, it was broadcast on BBC4 at ten o’clock at night on a Monday.
Jessica Swale is currently directing Summerland, a feature film for which she won a writing bursary from BAFTA in 2012. It is being made by Embankment with Guy Heaney producing, and stars Gemma Atherton.
A love-story set in the timeless and enchanting world of Summerland; sun-dappled days spent outdoors by the sea over one achingly beautiful summer.
Fiercely independent writer Alice (Gemma Arterton) secludes herself in her study: occupied by her work but also profoundly lonely, haunted by a love affair from her past.
When spirited young Frank, an evacuee from the London Blitz, is dumped into her irritable care, his innocence and wonder awaken Alice’s deeply buried emotions.
Bravely embracing life’s miraculous unpredictability, Alice learns that wounds may be healed, hope and second chances do exist, and any woman must defiantly be two things: who and what she wants.
