The Story

Bellywash is a short film based on the true story of the first ornamental hermit of Painshill Park, who was infamously fired from his role a mere three weeks in when he was found at a local pub. This film takes place in those weeks and follows how the hermit became so disenchanted as to leave the role wherein he was prohibited from cutting his hair and nails, straying beyond the grounds, and talking to others.

Ornamental hermits, also known as garden hermits, were men hired to literally be ornaments in the gardens and parks of wealthy landowners and aristocrats. Unlike the religious hermits of history, who chose to live solitary lives to freely practice their religion and escape persecution, ornamental hermits were common people desperate for work. Ensnared by unfair contracts, they became objects by which the ruling class could parade their wealth and culture in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were not religious figures who embodied desired virtues; but fabricated impersonations of celibacy, sobriety, and wisdom.

This film will show what life might have been like in those brief few weeks for a man in that role. In between tending Painshill’s grounds and performing for its guests, he forms a sweet bond with Jane, the park owner’s daughter, a little girl spellbound by stories of fairies and gnomes. Trapped and isolated by society either by gender or position, together they find freedom through imagination and fairytales.

Cinematography

Meet The Crew

Budget Breakdown

Production Design 

This film being an extensive historical film, we aim to make the production as accurate as possible. The funding will go towards costume, prop, and location to help create the world and feel of the 18th century. We want to tell this story of an ornamental hermit in the best way that we can, understanding that this character has never been represented in any media before, and we want to recreate the environment that he might have lived in. 

16mm Film 

This film will be shot on 16mm to create that look and feel we want, to help tell this story. Making the visuals more raw and natural to help bring the audience into the hermits world. The format ratio will have a more square cropping making the film look closed in, representing the confined barriers of the hermits lifestyle. 

Food/Travel

We want to be able to create a comfortable filming environment for both the cast and crew. Filming will be around 7 days long, and we feel that food and travel expenses should be covered to allow everyone to thrive at their fullest potential. 

Cast/Crew

Being a student film, the majority of the time cast and crew work for free. We want to have the opportunity if funding allows us, to be able to pay the members of this production appropriately. We all are very excited about this project and believe in it so much, and we all agree to make this film with the strong passion we have for this project. But would like the option to have everyone to be compensated if possible, to help say thank you for the hard work that both the cast and crew have put into the project. 

Thank You

Thank you so much for the support in allowing for this project to made. We are so excited to create this film, and tell the story of the first ornamental hermit of Painshill. Your help and donations allow us to make this film to the fullest potential.

Thank you from the cast and crew. Xx