Desperate for connection and feeling. A young woman isolated on a council estate copes in the only ways she knows how.

A film by Alexandra Healy

Starring Holly Higbee and Sam Greco

As a queer woman raised in social housing in Brixton, South London, I am disinterested in creating exploitative “poverty porn” to depict where I grew up. Depictions of working-class Britain are often portrayed as hyper-masculine, colourless, desolate. This is not my personal experience - my childhood in Brixton being a cacophony of vibrancy.

Instead, I want to lean into the strength of femininity- embracing it. Using longer takes, languorous camera movements, soft lighting, pastel colours. This is juxtaposed with the unwavering depictions of Naomi's life as a young survivor of sexual abuse - her transactional sexual relationship with an older man, obsessive love, and substance abuse - all of which are means she uses to cope with her PTSD.

This film is not a vehicle to demonise these behaviours, which I can attest from personal experience are a means to an end - to try to find temporary solace in what feels like endless suffering in a young person's life, with no other frame of reference. Instead, the intent is to use the film as a machine to generate empathy for Naomi as a character - in a world which shuns a young person who would turn to these vices as a means of survival and solace.

We are seeking completion funding to get our film over the line. The funds raised will contribute to the colour grade, ADR recording and also festival submissions. 

10% of all donations will be split between the two charities below. 

Survivors Trust - The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services. 

Not A Phase - Not A Phase is a trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives.

HOLLY HIGBEE (Red, The Thanksgiving Massacre, Ruby)

Represented by The Dazey Hills Company 

SAM GRECO (Black Cake, Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies and Scandal, Another Round)

Represented by Mondi Associates

Alexandra Healy - Writer / Director / Producer 

Abbie Hills - Producer 

Max Lovell - DOP 

EJ Sheppard - 1st AD

Stella Moss - Intimacy Coordinator 

Felix Waverly Hudson - Sound Operator 

Chiara Meadows - Sound Assistant 

Eleanor Coole Green - Costume Designer 

Hannah Licia Heath - Production Designer 

Kesvi Mistry - Art Department Assistant 

Tom O'Donnell - Art Department Assistant

Jana Hasebrink - Production Assistant 

Sabrina Dallot Seguro - Unit Stills

Kat Morgan - HMU Designer

Billie Mckenzie - HMU Supervisor

Siobhan Savage - Make up Artist 

Ollie Munks - 1st AC

Matthew Hollis - 2nd AC

Owen Whitehead - Gaffer 

Max Slater - Spark