Member Article

New BFI Funded Film For North East

A new thought-provoking film funded by the British Film Institute (BFI) is set to start production in the region.
“Obsession” is a BFI Network Short Film that’s cast, crewed and shot in the North East. The film explores what a person is capable of, when pushed to their limits - survival is sometimes about accepting the life you’ve been given and it’s sometimes about fighting for the life you deserve.

The film is being made by Tri-Hard Films, a team of three talented creatives from the region comprising of TV Scriptwriter Debbie Owen, (BBC Casualty) Director and actor Daymon Britton (School for Seduction, Wire in the Blood and Falling) and Producer Morgan Stephenson who stars in Obsession in his debut acting role.

Playing the lead role of Jasmine, alongside Morgan, is Kim Tserkezie. Kim is an actor, presenter, writer and producer with more than twenty years of broadcast experience. Her TV and Film credits include Boy Meets Girl, Bliss, Wolfblood and Balamory. Although Kim herself is a disabled person, the role as Jasmine could have been played by any female actor. The character of Jasmine is a survivor, not a victim and, as Kim explains, this is a particularly exciting opportunity for a disabled actor. “Often disabled characters are portrayed on screen as weak, pitiful, individuals who are victims to the limitations of their medical condition rather than their environment. They are typically only seen in relationships where they are causing intolerable pressures to their partner who is invariably their ‘carer’. We turn this all on its head and offer a completely alternative perspective. Jasmine has a real story to tell that will resonate with many women.” Scriptwriter Debbie Owen agrees: “Obsession wasn’t written specifically for a disabled actress. We simply cast the right actress for the right character and that actress happens to be a wheelchair user. People say it’s an important decision that we made, because it’s so unusual in the film industry but we strongly believe that more film makers should do the same.”
Amy O’Hara from BFI Network said: “This is an exciting project and we are delighted that Film Hub North and BFI Network can support this team and fund a diverse and engaging project that heavily features the North East both in terms of location and talent. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished film.”
The film will be shot at a number of locations in the region including Newcastle, Tynemouth and Sunderland. Plans are already underway to feature the film in a number of prestigious film festivals in the Autumn.

Media Information: Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951 Keith@highlightspr.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Keith Newman .