anchor (2015)

[anchor2015-blog]

Visit Original Link

original recording demo written & composed by Lola Lennox Fruchtmann

[anchor2015-blog]

[anchor2015-blog]

the film

Anchor was an extension of a photography series for which I used Nan Goldin's 'The Ballard of Sexual Dependency' as my starting point. The idea was that the film would happen in a series of frames, taken from my photographs, and that the piece itself would capture a snapshot of a single moment shared between two women. We look out with Joni as Olivia observes her. We can see how Joni mirrors Olivia physically and aesthetically and question what they are looking for in themselves. I consider the film to be an ekphrasis, in response to art, and an experiment. Anchor is my first film and it is a personal story.

The film is set in Autumn, a mutable season that represents the end of one moment and, after the grieving process has passed, the start of the next. It was always intended that the sound would carry an equal weight to the image, so it has been used to build the cuts, literally creating an allegorical landscape of the main characters feelings. For this we worked with Johnnie Burn (The Lobster, 2015) and Jonny Platt at Wave Studios as well as Lola Lennox who wrote and recorded an original piece to frame the film.

Anchor explores feelings, by coming at it from a place of rigid constraints it was also possible to explore the dullness of extreme feeling. The piece captures a woman as she reaches the full saturation of what she is able to feel, to the point where everything flatlines and nothing but a dull ache remains. The result is subtly surreal. What is taken from this moment between the two characters is how anti-climactic these moments can be, how unreal they are even as they are happening. I hope your experience of it creeps up on you much as understanding often does.

It is indulgent... but so is eating ice-cream for lunch in bed.

Madeleine

---

If you would like to be sent our press pack in pdf format or a link to the film please contact myself or Yanna directly.

Madeleine: [email protected] Yanna: [email protected]

[anchor2015-blog]

synopsis

Although Joni isn't emotionally available she needs the comfort and support of Olivia. In seeking this understanding she allows a situation of forced intimacy to evolve and despite there being much tenderness between them it is clear that their expectations of one another are not matched.

anchor (2015)

poster image by Agatha A Nitecka poster design by Lisa Reimeir

[anchor2015-blog]

Writer & Directed by Madeleine Morlet

Madeleine is a London based director and photographer. She has been working with moving image since 2010. Her first screenplay, This Is Not A Suit (2010), was in the Sundance Official Selection. Madeleine studied Classics and English at Kings College before starting a post-grad at the London Film School. Since then she has notably worked with Doc Martens, Vice, i-D and Nowness. This is her first short film.

http://www.madeleinemorlet.com

Produced by Yanna Buryak

Yanna Buryak is a driven, creative producer and founding director at Mimesis Films pursuing both experimental and commercial filmmaking with expertise across UK, French, Greek & Russian markets. She has to her credit five completed projects in two years, including two award winning short films. Main award winning works include: Fedor’s Journey Through Moscow at the Turn of the XXI Century (2015) and Ruslan (2014).

https://vimeo.com/mimesisproductions

Cinematography/ DP by Alex Grigoras

Alex was born is Iaşi, Romania, in 1983. He studied Visual Arts at George Enescu Art University concentrating on video art and photography. He worked as a teacher in the same University while contributing as a video artist to a number of exhibitions on the european circuit. After working as a cinematographer for films and art projects he moved to London to study at The London Film School, where he concentrates on light and camera. He graduated as Director of Photography in 2012. He is still based in London where he works as a freelance Cinematographer.

http://alexgrigorasdop.com

Sound Design by Johnnie Burn

Johnnie Burn is a British supervising sound editor, re-recording mixer and sound designer whose work includes commercials, music videos, sonic branding and feature film. Recent work includes the rebranding of Channel Four, the sound design of the 2015 Cannes Jury Prize winning 'The Lobster', directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and the outstanding Sound Design of Jonathan Glazers' 'Under The Skin'. He is responsible for much award winning use of sound.

http://www.johnnieburn.com

Sound Design by Jonnie Platt

Biography Pending

Original Music/ Composer by Lola Lennox Fruchtmann

Lola comes from both a musical and film background. She is a singer and composer based in LA. After the film was shot Lola was approached to create an original track for Anchor. Initially the discussion was to use the lyrics to help build the sound of Joni’s inner emotional landscape, with the lyrics being build into the soundscape. Lola established the idea of the voices being like sirens on the shore of the allegorical soundscape that would be drawn. The final result was ‘Breathe Me’ which also provided stems of Lola’s vocals which would become a recurring theme within the soundscape. Lola is currently working on her first solo album.

https://www.facebook.com/lolamusicuk/

Stills Photography by Agatha A Nitecka

Agatha is a sensitive and intelligent photographer. Initially a sculptor graduate from Central Saint Martens Agatha approaches each image as though it were an object being carved from marble. A favourite amongst indie film makers her impressive resume includes; The Danish Girl (2015), 45 Years (2015) and The Selfish Giant (2013).

http://agathaa.com/

[anchor2015-blog]

‘Joni’ by Elena Saurel

Elena Saurel is a London based American actress and comedian. She grew up in Geneva Switzerland in a multicultural house-hold. She trained in New York at the the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute where she was taught by Robert Castle.

Her more recent credits include Rob Delaney & Sharon Horgan’s new Channel 4 show Catastrophe, ITV’s Bendiorm and D.C Moore Not Safe For Work. She just performed the role of Janice Joplin in a new production "Pearl" by Fabrice Melquiot at the Abrons Arts Center in New York which was directed by Paul Desveaux.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3008059/

[anchor2015-blog]

‘Olivia’ by Delphine Lalizout

Delphine Lalizout is an experienced french theatre and film actress, known for Robin des Mers (1998), Alliance Cherche Doigt (1997) and Les Guignols de l'info (1988). She recently performed in Harold Pinter's 'Treason' in Paris.

[anchor2015-blog]

anchor (2015) production stills by Agatha A Nitecka