Requiem is a 2021 British horror/drama short film directed by Em Gilberston, written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge, and produced by Michelle Brøndum. It stars Bella Ramsey and Safia Oakley-Green.
| Requiem | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Festival premiere poster | |
| Directed by | Em Gilberston |
| Screenplay by | Laura Jayne Tunbridge |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Joseph Guy |
| Edited by | Oli Bauer |
| Music by | Madison Willing |
Production company | |
Running time | 25 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2023) |
In 1605, religious conservatism rules parts of England and witch trials are a present danger for nonconformist women. Evelyn (Bella Ramsey) attempts to evade the wrath of her father Minister Gilbert (Simon Balcon) to be with her lover Mary (Safia Oakley-Green).[2] When Minister Gilbert uses his influence to have Mary condemned and burned as a witch, Evelyn unites the village women to rally for vengeance against him.[3]
About the filmmaker
editEm J. Gilbertson is a Liverpool-based writer and director working across film, television, and music videos. Represented by Independent Talent Group, they’re currently developing their debut feature film. Em’s earlier projects explored the dynamics of gender roles and societal pressure to conform to harmful environments, while their latest work focuses on non-binary identities and the pursuit of freedom. Drawing from personal experience, they create complex queer characters, and they have a passion for integrating dance, spoken word, and music into their work in bold, unconventional ways.[3]
Cast
edit- Bella Ramsey as Evelyn
- Safia Oakley-Green as Mary
- Simon Balcon as Minister Gilbert
- Sean Buchanan as Minister Shorter
- Jack Norris as Matthew Shorter
- Jack Condon as Abe
- Juliet Dante as Agnes
- Jason Adam as Josiah
Production
editThe film was directed by Em Gilbertson and written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge.[4] The film was produced by Michelle Brøndum. Filming took place at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in Bromsgrove.[5] The film's director Em Gilberston told PinkNews of the importance "for all queer people that we don't forget our history. We have to take lessons from the past to tackle the systemic prejudice still around us and fight for our future".[6]
Release
editIn March 2023 the short film was made available to view on the Alter YouTube channel.[7] The film was shown at the Cleveland Film Festival on March 24, 2023,[8] before it plays at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023.[9]
Reception
editBeatrice Fanucci in Ireland's GCN described Ramsey's "heartwrenching performance".[10] Lyra Hale in Fangirlish discussed how the film was "beautifully brought to life" by the performances of Ramsey and Oakley-Green.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Requiem". Norwich Film Festival. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Shatto, Rachel (March 13, 2023). "Gay Twitter's Obsessed With Bella Ramsey's Witchy Queer Short Requiem". News.Yahoo. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "Requiem (Directed by Em J. Gilbertson)". Norwich Film Festival. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Montiel, Abby (March 13, 2023). "Bella Ramsey's Lesbian Horror Short Requiem Is Now Available on YouTube". Them.us. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Harris, Tristan (August 24, 2001). "Game of Thrones star shooting new witch trial film Requiem at Bromsgrove's Avoncroft Museum". Bromsgrove Standard. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Iftikhar, Asyia (March 13, 2022). "Last of Us star Bella Ramsey's queer, witchy horror is breaking gay hearts: 'Pro at making me sad'". Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Armelli, Paul (March 17, 2023). "After The Last Of Us, you can see Bella Ramsey in the horror Requiem on YouTube". Wired. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "Requiem". Clevelandfilm.org. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ World, International and U.S. Premieres Headline of Lighthouse Int'l Film Festival
- ^ Fanucci, Beatrice (March 14, 2023). "The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey delivers heartwrenching performance in new queer horror short". gcn.ie. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Hale, Lyra (March 18, 2023). "'Requiem' Review: Bella Ramsey in a Lesbian Horror Short? Yes, Please". Fangirlish.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.