Introduction from the Writer & Director Karlton Parris
The Starving Swans takes its title from a poetic reference made by the central LGBT character, Wilfred James. I wanted to explore the fusion of the horrors of war with the beauty of poetry, similar to renowned poets of the period, such as Wilfred Owen. The concept of this film is to portray the damage that remained after the guns fell silent. Not with scenes of flashbacks of the war but told through the eyes and emotions of the actors. Having a fragile and at times haunting LGBT love story at the center of the script serves to remind us that many men suppressed and hid their true nature during the conflict of war.
Why you should support us and how you can
The Starving Swans is unique example of a great story that needs a voice.: we’ve done the hard bit, we’ve landed the incredible cast, established an amazing film crew, and we’ve sourced the stunning Yorkshire location . We just need your help to make it the highest quality final product possible to ensure that this inspirational and encouraging story can reach audiences near and far, of all backgrounds and cultures.
Your support will secure the rest of our locations and shoot dates (we have 5 days planned in Early 2025 that need to be funded), to pay the cast and crew a reasonable wage, pay for post-production and pay for festival submissions, cinema screenings, and distribution to reach those that need the LGBTQ community and acceptance the most and to showcase and inspire independent film.
Things we have going so far:
An award winning script placing in some of the worlds most prestigious film festivals and a director with years of experience telling LGBTQ stories .Hence, we have had high pre-production values and a lot of time to figure explore how the story could work on screen.
We’ve formed a skilled, professional crew from around the UK, with each member bringing a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and passion to the film
THE FAMILY
Aunt Ernestine
Old age brings its freedoms. Out living one’s family brings its rewards.
There are two nieces left of a once large and vibrant family. Lillian, whom it is easy to loathe and Nora, for whom there can be nothing but admiration.
There is only one blood tie that binds the black sheep and the pariah, and Ernestine saw the nature of this boy a long time ago. Now as this fragile, poetic stranger may offer her most beloved relation a chance of happiness, Ernestine will be changing her last will and testament!
Lillian Blyton
Lillian has two great passions in life, buying nice things and having nicer things than her friends and neighbors.
From her over cluttered house, a house never quite big enough, she fusses, arranges flowers and thanks her lucky stars she isn't her sister Nora. She waits for her aunt to die, for when Ernestine passes there will be so many nice things to buy.
Yet with the arrival of shocking events Lillian will discover a backbone she never knew she had.
Nora Casson
She took the army’s money as a lifeline. Yes, the solders were difficult, challenging, but they insisted if she was strict and did not ever deviate from the rules things would find a away of working out fine. For the most part they had, until Mr. Wilfred arrived.
Now Nora is unsettled, even the coldest heart could not help but reach to this poor boy. The utter devastation that swims in his eyes is unbearable. She has begun asking questions of herself she had thought long answered already.
She can feel herself growing softer,, kinder less rigid and that is the most frightening thing imaginable.
Betty Dawes
When she lost her eldest son in the first weeks of the war, she screamed at the heavens. When her middle son perished days later, she made no sound at all.
Betty waited day after day expecting the worst but when she saw her youngest, Alfie step of the train she expected to cry with joy, but a chill ran along her spine and somehow, she could see that her dearest boy had left something behind.
A part of his soul was waiting…waiting to also lay down in the blood and mud of
Maude Blyton
‘What’s the point in having beauty in a place like this?’
A question Maude has asked for years whilst looking out the window across the empty moorland.
She dreamt of London, of society, of fine gowns and grand houses. When a handsome solider arrives at her aunt's farm, Maude seduces him. More out of spite than anything else to finally silence her overbearing mother.
To have something for herself ,to do something …to at last do something!
Wilfred James
Prior to the outbreak of war Wilfred James lived a quiet life in Oxford, sharing rooms with fellow academic Charles, his secret lover.
His world was one of books, mostly poetry and conversations late into the night with Charles and fellow poets.
During the war Wilfred tried to hold onto the beauty of words and as talk of surrender grew louder in those final bloody days, he and Charles dared to dream that soon they would be home
It was early morning when Charles was hit. His head blown clean off, Wilfred just feet away. It was said Wilfred ran screaming towards the German dug out quite deranged, demanding shoot me, kill me!
On his file it is marked chances of recovery poor
Jerimiah
The morning all the boys rushed to sign up, he had stood outside the church deep in thought.
Many things that had weighed heavily but, in the end. it was nature that tipped the balance as with everything in his life.
A butterfly fluttering, a ladybird on a blade, of grass bird song despite what would come he knew he could not take a life. even on the farm it was his mother who did the killing, and once that was settled, he felt joy.
Levi Casson
Paralised below the waist during the battle of Pachendale, Nora’s eldest son i is an embittered man who rages at the world from the confines of his bed.
Often abusive, as his internal battle continues his mother Nora suffers at his hand and temper.
Alfie Dawes
Since coming to Yew Tree Farm Alfie has tried hard to get back to normal. He works hard on the farm, likes keeping his hands busy, likes the feeling in his body.
The ache, the sweat, even with the shakes and the fits during the daytime, Alfie can manage his overwhelming feelings.
Night time is worse. The dreams, the night terrors. Waking in soiled bed sheets, that feeling of shame.
He still craves a normal life, a wife, children but somewhere deep inside he knows …he knows he is ruined.
Gerry Hobbs
Of her four starving swans Nora Casson has come to understand that only Gerry is most likely to heal. Day by day she sees his connection to the land, to the rigor of farm life, to his deep routed love and respect for the animals. Each day Gerry wakes hungry to connect to toil and to dirty his hand,s and whilst the noise of battle lingers in his ears his heart is open, inquisitive and hopeful.
Toby Potter
With his cheeky smile and easy charm, this handsome lad seems like he hasn't a care in the world.
Toby remembers that day, it plays out just behind his eyes. The splatter of blood ,the ground littered with limbs and the rage that comes from nowhere. The urge to lash out to inflict hurt.
He buries this fear deep inside, but as marriage and fatherhood looms, he is afraid… of himself.