WomenCinemakers vol V WomenCinemakers vol V | Page 5

Inspired by true events,
is a story
about Marcus, a 12-year-old kid who’s been
abandoned by his mother and left with his hard-
nosed grandfather. Resigned to hiding out on a
rooftop, Marcus’s life takes a turn when Trish, a
girl he’s always liked, comes looking for his help.
I was immediately drawn to this story of
innocence lost. These kids emulate a youthful
feeling of joy and a carefree view of the world but
beneath it all they are riddled with so much
heartache, fear and disappointment. This
character-driven narrative took inspiration from
the poetic and existential ideas of Italian cinema,
and Bertolucci in particular, who was focused on
the individuality of people dealing with changes in
their lives and no straightforward solution. Even
though these kids are both in difficult situations, I
was adamant to capture a certain lightness of
spirit. This was achieved with subtle and nuanced
performances from Michael Matias (who I
discovered in the west end play ‘The Bodyguard)
and Maisie Williams (‘Game of Thrones’), and a
decision to use dramatic close-ups sparingly. The
music’s intricacy which represents Marcus’s
journey and the light-handed touch of the
bouzouki’s plucked strings, complimented by the
fluid style of shooting were also key in setting the
desired tone. When Trish spontaneously arrives,
Marcus’s world immediately becomes more
whimsical, graceful and dreamlike. Reflecting
Marcus’ seemingly carefree existence, the
rooftop is a character in itself, symbolizing
tranquility and a sense of being on top of the
world.
In contrast, when we follow Marcus to his
granddad's shabby flat the look and feel of the
film shifts. Illuminated by discreet shafts of light,
the flat is dark, dusty and neglected – as if frozen
in time. Tension builds as it is revealed that
Trish’s boyfriend Darren and his crew are looking
for Marcus. My intention was to move away from
typical
heavy-handed
depictions
and
Interview•by•Yasmine Mahet (France)
cinemakers // 11