North American Premiere
A right-to-die evangelist must wrestle with his faith and morality when his latest client turns out to be not what she claimed. Moral dilemma stories can be difficult to get right in a short film format, but this two-hander is blessed with veteran actors who really enhance a tale about difficult choices. Toby Jones (Infamous, Hunger Games) gives a powerful, understated performance as a man of faith, and Claudie Blakley (Pride and Prejudice, Gosford Park) shines as an anxious but committed woman in her last throes. The first half is a quiet setup before uncomfortable truths force the ethical question in this somber, moving, and original story on the desperation of living and the relief of dying.
Community Partner
Toby Jones, Claudie Blakley
UK
2021
English
Featured in:
International Shorts: Morality Plays
Morals are being challenged on many fronts. The protagonists in this program of short films are all faced with difficult moral choices and they don’t always make the right decisions.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Blue Star
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The Mother and the Bear
Johnny Ma’s film stars Kim Ho-jung as a Korean woman who flies to Winnipeg when her immigrant daughter is hospitalized there. This crowd-pleaser plays up cultural differences to hilarious effect and offers a touching take on mother-daughter tension.
Forastera
In this mysterious and subtle coming of age drama, teenager Cata is soaking up the sun, smoking furtive cigarettes, and enjoying a summer break with her grandparents and her younger sis in Mallorca. That is, until Cata's beloved abuela collapses...
Credits
Executive Producer
Brett Payne
Producer
Sarah Beardsall, Elliot Barker
Screenwriter
Paul and Simon Wade
Cinematography
Donna Wade
Editor
Simon Wade
Production Design
Guy Thompson
Original Music
James Mabbett
Director
Paul and Simon Wade
Paul and Simon Wade are British writers, directors, and brothers. They started out making horror films in the woods with a DV camera and a cast and crew of unwitting family members. Since then, they have grown up slightly, and now work across narrative fiction, drama, and comedy. Their films have been commissioned by Sky and the BFI and played at festivals internationally including Beijing, Moscow, and London.