Interviews

‘Remi Milligan: Lost Director’ by Sam Lodato is a remarkably entertaining feature film which not only follows the mysterious loss of indie maverick director Remi Milligan but also introduces us to a collection of his work. Through interviews with friends, family and co-workers, the intrigue surrounding Remi’s sudden disappearance unravels before us as we areContinue reading “Interview with Samuel Lodato, Writer & Director of ‘Remi Milligan: Lost Director’”

‘Pasture & Storm’ by Chris Frazer Smith documents the incredible coming together of musicians, led by composer Sadie Harrison, culminating in a final triumphant live concert. “Armed with only the project timeline and overview of the compositions from composer Sadie Harrison I embarked on the simple path of documenting Pasture & Storm whenever the individualsContinue reading “Video Interview with Chris Frazer Smith, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Pasture & Storm’”

Agency, consent and female rights are understandably delicate and challenging themes to broach cinematically and can be done very poorly. This is absolutely not the case with the excellent and nuanced short film ‘Portrait’ by filmmaker Grace Louey. Set in a South London school, where these exact situations occur with terrifying frequency, a young girlContinue reading “Interview with Grace Louey, Director of ‘Portrait’”

Like it or not, society is bound by norms of conduct that act as a guidance for acceptable behaviour. But what happens when the rules and restrictions which are supposed to put order in our lives actually do the opposite and cause mayhem? Writer and director Stelios Kouk, upon hearing an absurd story about theContinue reading “Interview with Stelios Kouk, Writer & Director of ‘Smoking in Public’”

‘Pasture and Storm’ is a musical project conceived by composer and musician Sadie Harrison, celebrating the unique talents and musical abilities of left-hand-only pianists. Filmmaker Chris Frazer Smith’s documentary of the same name takes us on a cadenced journey through the power of music, diversity and inclusion – pillars of Sadie’s work. Chris, already anContinue reading “Interview with Chris Frazer Smith, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Pasture & Storm’”

Stories about motherhood have been a staple of cinema since its origins and vary from pithy little comedies to demonising horrors. British-Moroccan writer and filmmaker Elias Suhail has taken his own lived experience of the struggles mothers face as the origins for his stunningly poignant short film ‘Beneath a Mother’s Feet’, which we are thrilledContinue reading “Interview with Elias Suhail, Writer & Director of ‘Beneath a Mother’s Feet’”

‘Hello’ by filmmaker Mac Montero is a salacious, filthy joy of a short comedy. Set in London in the 90’s a businesswoman calls her boyfriend during her lunch break for phone sex. What follows is a beautifully scripted and provocative conversation which doesn’t quite go to plan. All set within the confines of an iconicContinue reading “Interview with Mac Montero Writer & Director of ‘Hello?’”

‘Passing Through‘ by David Walter Hall is a tense, revelatory family drama set in the soporific languor of the South of France. Rife with family estrangement, battles amongst couples and personal secrets it is a highly commendable first feature film by David. As the film continues it festival circuit, Brighton Rocks is thrilled to beContinue reading “Interview With David Walter Hall Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Passing Through’”

In a parallel universe, deftly crafted and brought to life by London Film School graduate Julie Magnaudet, there is treatment available for those terminally unlucky in love. ‘Broken Hearts’, set in a fantastical hospital, houses alternative therapy rooms and through a series of bonding exercises, love is encouraged to bloom. However those out there withContinue reading “Interview with Julie Magnaudet Writer & Director of ‘Broken Hearts’”

Watching the delightful genre-bending short film ‘Skewered’ by Nick Ray Rutter, I had one of those rare joyous moments – always in a busy cafe or the library – when you find yourself maniacally laughing out loud with your headphones on as I feel into the absurd bliss. This captivating short has been brought toContinue reading “Interview with Nick Ray Rutter Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Skewered’”

‘The Cornucopia Club’ by Joseph Archer is a testament to the filmmaker’s prowess as a director able to absorb an audience into the stylised and rich world he has built – one dripping in satire, stuffed with witty and opportune jokes and oozing with opulence of the worst kind. His short film, inspired by aContinue reading “Interview with Writer & Director Joseph Archer and Writer & Actor Cathy Wippell of ‘The Cornucopia Club’”

The talents of playwright, poet, theatre maker & filmmaker Mark C. Hewitt have been deservedly recognised at Rocks Festivals over the years as his work continues to challenge, surprise and captivate audiences and reviewers alike. A sequence of microfilm-poems with the overarching title ‘Les Coffrets’ played at Brighton Rocks 2022, and in June this yearContinue reading “In Review ‘Songs of the Chambermaids’ and Interview with Writer & Director Mark C. Hewitt”

Filmmaker and Festival Director Deborah Espect has been successfully operating and growing Brighton & Hove’s official LGBTQIA+ film festival FilmPride, which is now in it’s fifth year. FilmPride curates indie queer films, made by, and about, members of the LGBTQIA+ community from all over the world and 2023 boasts a packed programme of shorts, documentariesContinue reading “Video Interview with Deborah Espect Festival Director of FilmPride”

Watching the hilarious short film ‘How Long Have We Got Left’ by Finella Waddilove, I found myself, as I’m sure many others can relate, recalling a time when I trawled through a succession of rather dire jobs. But far from being depressing, it was such a treat to see a film that, thanks to Finella’sContinue reading “Interview with Finella Waddilove, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘How Long Have We Got Left?’”

Shot entirely in black & white, ‘Daniel Came Home’ is a haunting and dramatic short brought to life by a considered and knowledgeable filmmaker Brian Gregory. The film, which was the worthy winner of the Best Micro Budget Film Award at this year’s Brighton Rocks Film Festival, features an outstanding performance by David Keyes, supportedContinue reading “Interview with Brian Gregory Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Daniel Came Home’”

Liv Boren’s sensitive multi-layered exploration of trauma and grief in her short drama ‘REVERB’ are a clear testament to the filmmaker’s depth of understanding of these themes and an excellent reminder of the myriad of opportunities the big screen offers us. A brother and sister, both wading through torrid emotional waters, experience a shocking andContinue reading “Interview with Liv Boren, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘REVERB’”

‘The Nanny’ by Brian Reynolds is a fabulously dark and macabre tale of power, control and the most vile betrayals. Reynolds comes from a theatre background and having achieved success and recognition for his work on short films, he was drawn to write and produce a feature-length film. ‘The Nanny’ brings together the filmmakers’ ownContinue reading “Interview with Brian Reynolds, Writer & Director of ‘The Nanny’”

Horror films might not be everyone’s cup of tea but they undoubtedly can and have been used in film as a fabulous vehicle for social commentary. When filmmaker Craig Ford was looking to explore a series of cautionary queer tales, he looked to his beloved horror genre for inspiration. ‘The Witching Hour’ is Craig’s thirdContinue reading “Interview with Writer & Director Craig Ford and Producer Jonny Bunyan of ‘The Witching Hour’”

Brian Reynolds is a multitalented filmmaker who has made a name for himself with his thought-provoking and emotionally charged films. ‘The Nanny’ follows a wealthy couple hire a young girl from Finland to take care of their newborn. These new parents should be in a state of bliss, so why does it seem like theyContinue reading “Video Interview with Brian Reynolds Writer & Director of ‘The Nanny’”

Filmmaker Issy Songer is a recent graduate of Brighton Screen and Film School whose film ‘Safe Space’ explores the relatable and delightful variety of school dramas through the perspective of a girls school mirror. From gossip and embarrassing moments, to the unseen struggles of young girls Issy has created a film which explore issues thatContinue reading “Video Interview with Issy Songer Writer & Director of ‘Safe Space’”