Arnewa - Indie Feature Film in development

First Act

It’s mid September 2024, and Connor and Matt are about to go live and record a bonus episode of the 'Anything I’ve Scene' podcast. The feature of this episode is an old script that Connor wrote over 10 years ago. In fact, you can listen to that very episode here.

His first feature film, in fact the first thing he had ever written, it was by his own admission "Terribly written". BUT the premise of a strong story was there. 

Fast forward to that podcast episode and amongst the terribly cringe moments, hid a story and unbeknown to the two film makers, an opportunity to get it made. The project, in its original infancy got roughly a third of the way through principal photography when a lead actor dropped out, rendering the hard work that had gone into gathering what we had so far as redundant. This would have meant a complete re shoot. 

Connor recounts: "I will never forget the work that everyone involved put into this film but we just could not continue all those years ago. Most pressing in my fondest of memories was the belief, time and support put into the project by our wonderful Director of Photography Gary Michael Horton, who sadly passed away 2 years ago.

Gary was the first industry professional to effectively green light the project back in 2013. I will never forget what his commitment and support meant to my career. In all honesty, I don't think I would have stuck out the turbulence that this industry delivers if it wasn't for Garys support and input at that vital time. A huge driver in remaking this film is in remembrance of Gary and the undeniably crucial role that inspirations like him provide to aspiring film makers. So many people give their time, skills and resources to make films for the love of it and we should give those people the opportunity to shine"

The recording ends and Connor turns to Matt: "My goodness that was cringe, but I don't know about you - I kind of want to look at this properly".

Matt replied: "I will be honest, I want to see where this goes"

CUE: The conversation with Alice, Connor's partner. In which the feeling seemed to resonate. So far this project is catching the attention of so many, carrying such momentum and support. But the financial aid will be the deciding factor to getting it made. 

Who we are

Connor, Exec producer & Actor 

As an Actor, I can safely say I don’t do this for the money, if I did, I would have given up 10 years ago. We do it for the love of telling stories and leaving our own footprint. 

I was fortunate enough to do a brief 5 year stint in the British Army Reserve, as a Physical Training Instructor, in a couple of different units, alongside being a full time student. I will never forget the impression my fellow servicemen and women left on me, some that were new to the military, some that had been everywhere and done everything. I didn't go to war, (something which leaves me with mixed feelings) but I was fascinated and inspired by the dialed-in and extremely focused attitude that our service personnel carry with them 24/7. After growing up in the Army cadet force, my time serving further instilled qualities, experiences and work ethics I will never forget. This gave me such clear inspiration when it came to this story, I was so excited to share this with Matt the writer, who has taken the simple set up I cobbled together and created something truly wonderful and awe inspiring, soaking in the atmosphere of the films aesthetic.  

All these years later after my first attempt at getting this made, this feels like the perfect time. This next section is another pinch myself moment, because in January 2024 I met the amazing woman that I call my partner. We met on stage with the wonderful Misplaced theatre company, in their run of ‘Doubt’. We got on so well that we ignored each other for months but as the first night of the show approached, we could no longer rely on pretending the other didn't exist. Cut a long story short, we have been an item ever since. When holiday season came around I could not wait to bring Alice to the bay of St Ives in Cornwall, somewhere that has such a special place in my heart thanks to the 33 years worth of summers I have spent here. 

I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked on fantastic short film and feature film projects through my career. I am very excited to bring my life experience and military background to the role of Alex.

Alice, Actor & Casting Director 

I decided I wanted to be an Actor from the age of 5 and every step throughout my life has carried me towards that goal. One of my inspirations to achieve this is my best friend, Carrie, who broke into the feature film industry starring in 'Hideous Kinky' with Kate Winslet. She moved down to Cornwall 7 years ago for health reasons and I moved to London to pursue my dream of performing Shakespeare. 

I have been fortunate to work across different mediums including BBC Radio 4, commercials, music videos and short film. I have just worked with a very special team on an incredibly poignant war film - 'War Cares Little', which just had its premier screening at the Electric Cinema.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34606999/

This year I knew I wanted to make some big changes, primarily in where I lived and how I wanted to creatively expand myself. Working on the play ‘Doubt’ (also a great film with Meryl Streep if you’re interested)! in April, I met Connor and instantly knew that I wanted this person on my team! 

After we explored Cornwall in Connors van over the Summer, I casually suggested spending more time here in the future. It turns out we were both completely on the same page. A few months later and a move to Cornwall now looks to be firmly on the horizon. 

It has always held a special place in my heart but I never allowed myself to fully imagine living and working here, until now. 

This film is our way of showing our love for this county, bringing work to local crew, commissioning an artist from St Ives for the poster, putting Cornwall on the map for independent film and personally being closer to my best friend. I only wish she could act in it alongside me, like we did for all those years performing at local Eisteddfods together. 

If this film is a commercial success, we want to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Cornwall Air Ambulance. 

They have saved Carrie's life countless times.

Carries daughter is already well ahead with her fundraising, here is their story.

SO WHATS THE IDEA?

Alex, a humble fisherman in the serenity of Cornwall, finds himself the target of shadowy forces set on his demise, driving him to defend more than just his livelihood.

ARNEWA in Cornish means DAMAGED BY STORMS

“Alex is a quiet, nomadic fisherman in Cornwall, one best friend being his only link to a world so far away from the craggy coast he occupies - but hidden in his persona are hints of a former life. At his work he is at peace, but he soon finds his tranquility disturbed when he discovers he is the subject of attention from shadowy forces, indistinguishable from good or evil. The 'attention' soon turns to targeted attacks when Alex is on a camping trip with his best friend Caleb, resulting in him unearthing a person he would rather forget in an attempt to save his now critically injured companion. We follow the journey as powerful forces clash, trapping a man in the midst of a storm of corruption, betrayal, courage and loyalty. It soon becomes clear he must defend more than just his way of life in this epic, gritty thriller.”

Alice and I felt it natural to base part of the film on the north coast of Cornwall. It has so much raw power and beauty that no one seems to really make full use of. As Alice so perfectly put it, the land and sea here is a character all of its own. This is something we want to embrace and allow the audience to take in. Films sometime frustrate me when they show a stunning landscape…for about 3 seconds, before cutting away. It is as if they are afraid the audience will get bored of the serenity, when the truth is no they won't. The Office - the legendary UK comedy (this is an odd comparison I know) was initially shunned away from production because it was based in a world where nothing was going on, but that's what made it so relatable and captivating.

Recent test shots at Gwithian beach

We love the opening shots from Roman Polanski's 'Macbeth'. 

Inspiration

How would we use the Money

The Development Fund is essential for:

• The design and build of our pitch deck
• Script polishing
• Location management both in Cornwall and Bristol
• Talent acquisition 
• Story boarding

Securing a development fund will also enable us to move to the next level as film makers at the same time as enabling independence from studio interference to allow us to focus on quality and substance. We are not the sort of film makers that want to conform to the 'safe' film making model. We believe there is a fundamental need for the audience to see something they have not seen before. Something that pushes the boundaries and does things differently. The current film production climate just does not feel like it is taking creative risks right now - we want to change that. 

Cornwall, My Home...nearly!

Most of us know and love Cornwall as one of Britains most stunning coastlines, however we also firmly believe in the great care that should be taken of this fine county. We believe in putting in more than we take away from the community, that's why we are passionate about working with local businesses, artists, film makers, musicians, fisherman, venues, transport links and charities. 

Some Locations

The Team

Rune Temte (Eddie The Eagle, Captain Marvel) will be playing the films antagonist, Varger. 

James Atwell will be playing James. His turn in gritty drama 'Obey', set the screen alight at the 2019 Tribeca film festival.

Meg Birley will be playing Roz. Meg is a producer as well as actor and its currently developing the feature film 'Rapunzels Revenge'

.......will be playing Lawrence. We are looking to cast a big name as the lead. 

Richard Bazley is our Director. He was a well known animator for Disney, working on films such as 'The Iron Giant' and 'Pocahontas' and has won 2 Emmys. 

His short film 'Censure', which stars Connor, has won +45 awards and also features actor Tom Conti (Oppenheimer, Paddington 2).

John E Fry is our award winning Cinematographer. 

Adrian Chivers is composing our soundtrack. He frequently collaborates with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel.

We also have a Cornwall based crew, chomping at the bit to start work! 

This project already means so much to so many people. Thank you for taking the time to have a look and please do help if you can.