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‘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’”

Nora Aboushoushah’s short ‘Lucky You’re Mine’ is a heartbreaking and intimate look at the devastating effects of a mental health crisis on the lives of not only those directly suffering, but the loved ones who surround them. As we focus on one couple, we take a journey through suffering, acceptance, resilience and most of all,Continue reading “In Review ‘Lucky You’re Mine’ by Nora Aboushoushah”

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’”

‘Soulmate’, written and directed by Richard Fenwick offers us a tantalising glimpse into a not-so-distant future where technology has advanced to the, frankly terrifying, point of AI developing consciousness. ‘Soulmate’ is based within a familiar category existing alongside genre-arthouse classics such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ and ‘Ex Machina‘ which delve into the menacing threatContinue reading “In Review ‘Soulmate’ by Richard Fenwick”

‘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’”

‘Psyche’ is a captivating experimental, psychological thriller from South African filmmaker Jonathan Geach. Trapped in a stark, colourless room that reeks of fear, loneliness and doubt, a young woman is subjected to a terrifying ordeal as a series of mystifying and ominous letters appear under her door. The title ‘Psyche’ gives us a clue asContinue reading “In Review ‘Psyche’ by Jonathan Geach”

One of the pillar stones of Brighton Rocks International Film Festival is our support of the undersung hero, and who represents that more than female filmmakers..? Whether you are behind or in front of the camera, an all-female cast and crew, or telling a female-led story, we want to see your films. While there hasContinue reading “New Programme for Brighton Rocks Introducing ‘Women Rock’”

‘The Lies We Tell Ourselves’ is a delightful meta mockumentary spiked with tragedy, comedy, satire and self-reflection. Written and directed by Finnish-Australian filmmaker Saara Lamberg, she accurately and sometimes heartbreakingly analyse the pitfalls and injustices of the industry whilst reflecting on her own body of work and self as a filmmaker and person in theContinue reading “In Review ‘The Lies We Tell Ourselves’ by Saara Lamberg”

‘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?’”

‘Don’t Choke’ by Sonny Baez takes no time in setting the tone as it takes you on a fast-paced, frenetic and surreal ride as we follow a highly competitive game of tennis between two warring parents in the middle of a divorce. But this is no normal game – the winning prize is custody ofContinue reading “In Review ‘Don’t Choke’ by Sonny Baez”

‘Skewered’ is an off-beat dark comedy with lashes of horror and a dash of musical numbers. A Lamplight Production directed by Nick Ray Rutter and co-written with Ben Richardson and brother Noah Rutter, it is an unexpected tale of shame, infidelity and a couple’s doomed relationship, enveloped within a juicy, meat-filled wrap – the gloriousContinue reading “In Review ‘Skewered’ by Nick Ray Rutter”

‘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’”

‘Room for One’, a one woman short film written and performed by Madeline Hatt, was born from a desire to talk about women’s safety and to highlight the woeful progress that has been made since the film’s setting in the 1940s. Madeline shaped and developed the script from a stream-of-consciousness monologue which she then paredContinue reading “In Review ‘Room For One’ by Madeline Hatt”

‘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”