AMELIA AND MICHAEL has brought together a team of some of the UK’s most exciting new talent, led by first time director / producer, Daniel Cormack, combined with established industry professionals and the renowned actor Anthony Head (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, LITTLE BRITAIN). With mentoring from Executive Producer, Richard Johns (Producer of the Oscar-nominated SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE, starring Willem Dafoe), the project stood out from the outset, because of the ambition of this exciting new director and his team.
The stunning end result – which has won high praise from critics and acclaim at festivals – is all the more remarkable because it was achieved by a director who was completely new to the film industry. Hotdog described the film as “beautifully shot, gently taking its time to unfold, and the presence of professional actors like stage and screen veteran Anthony Head really raises the bar a notch” with the reviewer concluding “on this evidence, Daniel Cormack is a young director to watch”. Shooting People acclaimed the film, saying: “this is quality stuff, great performances, a script that doesn't go too far, beautiful photography and a real sense of cinema. It felt very European, like one of those films that somehow, as a rule, we can't do in this country. With this well cast, well acted, well made film Daniel Cormack seems therefore to be breaking all the rules without breaking sweat or showing off.” The film has gone on to be the only UK entry shortlisted for the Akira Kurosawa Memorial Short Film Prize and will have its World Premiere at the Oscar-nominating 31st Montreal World Film Festival in August 2007, its US Premiere at the 11th LA Shorts Fest in September 2007 (Oscar and BAFTA-nominating) and its UK Premiere at the 15th Raindance Film Festival in September-October 2007.
Despite having no contacts within the industry, Daniel Cormack succeeded in winning the backing of some of the most established and respected companies, organisations and individuals within the UK and International film industries, including: Dame Judi Dench, Nicholas Hytner, Sandy Lieberson, Terry Jones, Alan Rickman, EON Productions, Soho Films, September Films, Soho House and the David Lean Foundation. Their help allowed this unusually nuanced and mature cinematic vision to hit the screens. As Daniel Cormack observes: “Very few short films these days feel genuinely Cinematic – not from a poverty of means, but from a poverty of ambition.”
The strength and distinctiveness of the screenplay immediately captivated Anthony Head, who played ‘Michael’. “It is so unusual to get such a subtle, restrained and elegant screenplay. AMELIA AND MICHAEL was very simple and economical, but you could instantly see how it would work, ” said the actor, who – like all the cast and crew – agreed to volunteer on the project for free, fitting it around his role in the West End play OTHERWISE ENGAGED.
The high production values of the film – which was shot on anamorphic 35mm and features Dolby Digital surround sound – were achieved on a low budget due to the in-kind support of companies such as Kodak, Panavision, Dolby, and Jaguar as well the innovative and resourceful approach of the filmmakers. Several scenes used a prototype of a new and innovative daylight balanced handheld light – the Jolly Light – specifically designed by the film’s Gaffer, Johann Cruickshank. The soft quality of the light helped create the film’s unique look. Despite working against the clock on a shoestring budget the end result succeeds remarkably in its ambitions.
