It takes on average

seven attempts

before a woman in an abusive relationship

is able to leave

for good.

The Film 

Duvet is a short horror film about a woman trying to leave a coercive relationship. The film combines puppetry techniques and stark visuals to build a tense, suffocating atmosphere and bring a strong, simple idea to light: It is hard - really hard - to leave someone cruel when they also offer softness and security. Immense strength is needed.

We want to give the film a platform, ignite discussion around its themes and champion the charity and creative team that made it. We need funds to do this. 

We aim to raise 5k to finance our festival campaign; including screenings, admissions fees, packaging and marketing the film, and its administration. 

The Background

It was produced by The Big House, a theatre company and charity that works with young people with experience of the care system.

Although only 1% of children in the UK are in care, 40% of young offenders and 73% of sex workers have a care background. 

Their mission is to transform young lives through the power of performance; unleashing creativity, building supportive communities, and forging pathways for marginalised young people to start careers in the creative industries and beyond.

"I'm convinced that The Big House is plugged into the community in a way that other charities are not. A genuine life transformer, helping the lost to locate a path and stick to it." Sir Lenny Henry CBE

Artistic Director and Founder Maggie Norris was concerned about the prevalence of coercive relationships connected to the Big House membership. Director Bel Parker - a former Associate Director for the charity - and writer James Fritz developed Duvet in response to this; more specifically the difficulty in identifying such relationships and escaping them. 

See The Big House's website here. 
 

Creative Development

“The metaphor that James gave the project was a gift. We see men hurt women all the time on screen and off. I had no interest in showing more of that, particularly within the context of The Big House’s work. But The Duvet… The Duvet allows us to get deep into our protagonist's story - her struggle and her strength - quickly, with wit, and without having to see direct violence . I mean, it did also pose us some big challenges… One was tone. A duvet that stands, walks, and runs is funny. Funny is good, we like funny: comedy and tragedy are closely related, laughter and gasps of horror come from similar places… But that’s not the overall aim here. There’s a very sensitive and serious story at the heart of this film, so how to get that mix right? Another challenge - How do you make a Duvet move? Short answer, with a lot of work from a lot of people! And if you've got a bit longer - around 14 minutes - you better watch the film!”
Bel Parker, Director 
 

Developing the duvet puppet with Rosalind Gregoire (Production Designer), Josh Kwan (Duvet Movement Performer), Bel Parker (Director) and Ace Ruele of (Creature Movement Consultant, Creature Bionics), pictures taken by TBH member Elson Syla

The Big House members and skills development

As part of development process, Bel led workshops for a group of under 18-year-olds from The Big House. These workshops spoke to the filmmaking process, and often involved other members of the creative team, who introduced their work and showcased props and techniques they used. This group then attended set for a day to help the production and creative teams.

Two older members worked for the entirety of the three day shoot as Camera Assistant and Second Assistant Director. Most actors in the film are new talent from this pool, including protagonist Tee Odom and her co-star Omar Bourgess.
 

Tee Odom's Reflections...

"She was just a young girl that fell in love with just the wrong person. And unfortunately, it just consumed her. She lost herself. She was just suffocated in it and it had a hold of her until she was able to fight it and overcome it and completely flip the narrative.

It was hard to play because it's such a sad and emotional situation.. You just want to do a good job, you know, presenting the right emotions and being an advocate for those situations. But being on set… I loved it. I didn't realise how much treatment you get - everyone treats you so nicely… I felt like a princess!  Now I’m much more confident on camera, on screen, acting with loads of people watching."

Full interview with Tee Odom here

Behind the scenes, before the chase. Tee Odom (lead actor) and Bel Parker (director)

Team

The film was written by award-winning writer James Fritz and developed and directed by Bel Parker. Producer was Abigail Coniah and Executive Producers were Sychelle Kristina Yanda and Molly Rutherford. Tabitha Boyd is Associate Producer.

It was shot by Ben Saffer, edited by Frederik Ribergaard, the composition was the work of Vanessa Fitchett, and the sound design by Luke Kulukundis.

Duvet stars Tee Odom. The Man is played by Omar Bourgess and the Duvet Creature is performed by Josh Kwan for Creature Bionics. 

Full cast and credits list below. 

"The Big House accepted me at my lowest, they saw something in myself that I didn't. Maggie Norris gave me an opportunity to prove myself. Bel Parker gave me the space to showcase that.

Through working as Camera Assistant on Duvet, I was able to meet the likes of David Agha Rafei, Rachel Wood, and Ben Saffer, who further allowed me to present myself and grow.

I’d also like to show my love to Hannah Stone, Bethan Fenwick, Titash Sen, and the rest of the Big House crew." 

Elson Syla Quote

Since meeting on the set of Duvet, Elson assisted Ben Saffer again on a feature film.

Behind the scenes, assorted. 

The Shoot

Filming took place in mid July 2025, in and around a location in Wimbledon. It was extremely hot, and then extremely rainy. The steadicam broke. We found a fox corpse in the shed, and moved the entire scene to the kitchen. The usual chaos.

But the team pulled together through the challenges. Producer Abigail and her team kept us well fed and watered. Second Assistant Director Angelina brought ice packs through to Duvet Performer Josh, who remained a trooper underneath heavy duvet material. 
 

Where we are now

The production and post-production process is complete. Duvet is shot, edited and scored. We've held an initial celebratory screening, with very strong positive reactions from creative team and friends alike. Now we need to raise more funds in order to take Duvet to festivals. We would like to bring both the film’s message and its creative execution to a wider audience, to platform the talent and the charity that made it happen. 
 

Where we're heading

We are aiming towards a UK-focussed festival campaign. We would like to enter both BAFTA qualifying and genre specific festivals, with a particular focus towards horror festival and festivals that celebrate women's stories and creativity.

What we will use the money for

The money we raise will go towards screenings, admissions fees, and paying the festivals team. It will cover travel and expenses for members, The Big House and creative team to attend festivals and promote the film, charity and mission. It will also facilitate screenings to help the film reach a wider audience, and provoke more discussion about the theme of coercive control. 

If you would like to see the film, please email belparker31@gmail.com to request a link. 

Duvet Full Film Credits

Produced By THE BIG HOUSE

Woman TEE ODOM
Man OMAR BOURGESS
Duvet and Creature Movement JOSHUA KWAN
Bin Men COLM MURTAGH and DANIEL OKEKE

Director BEL PARKER
Writer JAMES FRITZ

Produced for The Big House by ABIGAIL CONIAH
Executive Producer SYCHELLE-KRISTINA YANDA
Executive Producer MOLLY RUTHERFORD
Associate Producer TABITHA BOYD

Director of Photography BEN SAFFER
Production Designer and Puppet Maker ROSALIND GREGOIRE
Editor FREDERIK RIBERGAARD
Composer VANESSA FITCHETT
Sound Designer LUKE KULUKUNDIS
Hair, Make-Up, and SFX LISA HAGART

First Assistant Director NIGEL MORGAN
Production Assistant ZARRIN MORGAN
Second Assistant Director ANGELINA FONTAINE

Steadicam Operator RACHEL WOOD
Focus Puller DAVID AGHA-RAFEI
Clapper Loader ELSON SYLA
Gaffer JAMIE HITCHINS
Gaffer SACHA KOVACEVIC
Camera Equipment Provided by SUNBELT RENTALS

Sound Operator MISBAH UDDIN
Sound Mix LUKE KULUKUNDIS

Stunt Coordinator ABIGAIL CONIAH
Creature Performance Development CREATURE BIONICS
Stunt Kit Hire CREATURE BIONICS

Post Production services by DISAUTHORITY
Colourist ZAIN HARIS
VFX Artist RAIYAN CHINOY
Conform Artist ROSIE BADDER
Post Producers LOUIS HOLDER and LAKSHYA UPADHYAYA

Catering LOVE DELIGHTS CATERING

BTS photographer & Poster Design JUAN CAMILO SUAREZ (ZEHN STUDIO)
Additional BTS Photographer BARBI BTS

With great thanks to (for their help in development and on-set) TIANYA POWELL, ESSIE ASKA, COLM MURTAGH, DANIEL OKEKE, LEAH-LOUISE BREALEY, and LEANE COURT