Inside the Rhizome…

In 1970, English tourist George 'Opa' Becker met Berlin-born jazz musician Mariella during a visit to West Berlin, and the two later immigrated to the suburbs of England to raise a family.
Fast forward to 2024: Mariella has passed away from pneumonia, and Opa’s memory has been deteriorating ever since. Opa’s daughter Julia, married to Malcolm, struggles to keep it together after a difficult doctor's appointment that left them without a clear dementia diagnosis for her father. Their children all find themselves pulled into a passionate, vindictive argument about their grandfather's decaying memory. The argument ends up circling an event in Berlin that the family believes triggered Opa’s sharp mental decline and contributed to Mariella’s death.

Brought to life by Tom George Fletcher, a rising writer and actor from St Albans, and co-directed by the emerging Leon Heaney, RHIZOME promises to push the boundaries of storytelling. Together, we are blending experimental visuals with an intimate, heartfelt narrative that reflects the struggles many families face.

Why We Need Your Support

RHIZOME is a grassroots passion project that celebrates the magic of storytelling and the power of independent filmmaking. However, particularly in the harsh post-pandemic conditions, bringing a film like this to life requires more than just passion—it requires funding for:

• Locations: Including a grand, historic cinema for a pivotal long-take sequence.
• Equipment: To capture the visual artistry and intricate shots the narrative requires.
• Our Team: A talented cast and crew dedicated to sharing this story with the world.

With your help, we aim to create a film that makes waves on the international festival circuit in 2025 and shines a spotlight on the importance of indie filmmaking.

What Makes RHIZOME Special?

This isn’t just a film—it’s a celebration of indie filmmaking, its culture, and its community. With roots in the local area and a heart for global storytelling, RHIZOME is designed to resonate far beyond the screen.

What You’ll Be Supporting

By backing RHIZOME, you’re not just funding a short film. You’re helping to:

• Amplify the voices of emerging talent.
• Foster a thriving local film community.
• Share an important story that highlights the emotional weight of dementia.
• Contribute to the preservation of independent filmmaking in a post-pandemic world.

How You Can Help

Every contribution—whether financial or through sharing our campaign—brings us closer to realizing our vision. Together, we can make RHIZOME a reality and take this important story to international screens.