Iris Mortem - Gothic Suicide Awareness Short Film

Iris Mortem follows Lizzie, an existentially depressed woman resolving to end her life prematurely, spending her final days as the guest of a mysterious caretaker and butler of a distant Manor House as her remaining family seek to change her mind.

Sponsored and primarily shot at the historical Derbyshire estate, Tissington Hall - who's owner, Sir Richard FitzHerbert, has been our primary sponsor and a big supporter of the project. 

The film's most notable talent is Sam C. Wilson (Amazon's Hanna, CBBC's Dodger, prominent role on an upcoming HBO series and a series regular for another upcoming series on Sky) in his breakout year, the film explores the sensitive matter of suicide through a gothic lens in an observational artistic manner by neither condoning or condemning it - merely presenting how the act effects the people around you if they're aware beforehand, rather than the typical mainstream route of our friends and family being unaware of the act or the victim being either undecided or on an arc to give life another try. The film delves into the effect suicide has on others, the importance of somebody receiving proper help and not being manipulated or taken advantage of, and how the idiosyncratic mindset of conflicted individuals can alter a life changing decision. We are even seeking sponsorship from Suicide Prevention UK to solidify our commitment in expressing these themes in a mature way.

The film features a wide range of different elements of performance from improvisation to choreographed classical waltz, neo-horror sound design and classical compositions, mythological and folklore inspired symbolism, and grounded characters with relatable flaws and new adaptations on pre-existing tropes and archetypes. Such characters include absurdist sexually ambiguous wandering priests, original incarnations of the Devil as a charming psychiatrist, and Death itself as a silent neutral entity carrying out his job in a humble setting yet stepping in when the natural order is threatened.

Our heads of department -

Wilf McKie - Writer/Director

Michael Lindsay-Bull - Producer

Mthabisi Mlauzi - Cinematographer

Oliver Magnus - Editor

Alice Gadsby - 1st AD

Joel Gonzalez Prades - Sound Recordist

Precious Osarenren Lewani - Art Director

Our raised funds will be put towards:

Cast - this will be the bulk of where our funds go, as in order to be the most professional filmmakers we can be, we need to make sure our actors get fairly paid with an equity payment of £155 per day. By ensuring our actors get a good pay for a good day's work, we get the absolute best of their performance and commitment to their roles.

Art Direction - with symbolic totems, costumes, books, food and even live bugs, this film's artsy side is a crucial piece of bringing the eerie and surreal world to life around our grounded characters.

Transport - the majority of our filming will be conducted at Tissington Hall in Ashbourne, half an hour's drive from our base of operations in Derby. Whilst some of us have our own transport, hiring cars and vans to transport actors and equipment is vital to a smoothly run shoot.

Catering - because who wants to work on an empty stomach?

Backup funds - in case our DOP needs some extra equipment, our art director some extra bugs, or there's a slight issue that needs to be covered such as a quick change in schedule, we won't be caught in deep water without a lifejacket.

All extra money raised will be put towards submitting the project to film festivals so it can gain further acclaim and attention.