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PRODUCTION UK

New Sarah Gavron film starts principal photography in London

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- The story and characters of Rocks have been developed in a unique workshopping process with non-professional actors

New Sarah Gavron film starts principal photography in London
Director Sarah Gavron

Principal photography has started on Fable Pictures’ new film by BAFTA Award-winning director Sarah Gavron (Suffragette [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile
]
Brick Lane [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
) and written by Theresa Ikoko (Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives) and Claire Wilson (The Little Drummer Girl [+see also:
series review
interview: Venia Vergou
series profile
]
). Film4, the BFI and Wellcome are backing the film, while British outfit Altitude has boarded it for international sales and acquired it for UK and Ireland distribution. Faye Ward and Ameenah Ayub Allen are serving as producers.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Filming under the title Rocks [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sarah Gavron
film profile
]
, the story and characters have been developed in a unique workshopping process with non-professional actors and will capture a group of multi-cultural schoolgirls in the fast-paced and ever-changing world that is the backdrop to their lives. It is a big-hearted story about friendship and being a teenage girl in contemporary London. The narrative follows a 15-year-old schoolgirl, Olushola Joy Omotoso, a British-Nigerian girl known as “Rox” to her friends. Rox’s mother leaves her and her young brother, Emmanuel, to fend for themselves. Determined to avoid being taken into care and to stick with her little brother against all odds, Rox abandons her home and hides around their London neighbourhood with the help of her loyal friends. Whilst documenting some of the harsher aspects of the lives of these young people, it also shows their resilience and determination – and the transformative power of female teenage friendships. 

Director Gavron says, “The writers, Theresa and Claire, worked with the girls and have created a compelling narrative that captures the visceral experience of growing up in contemporary London. The filmmaking team and I have put in place a framework that aims to allow the film to have a spontaneous, naturalistic feel, and to bottle the exuberance and resilience of our eclectic cast of girls.” 

The filmmakers have assembled a cast and crew that reflect their personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion. From the outset, producer Ameenah Ayub Allen set out numerous opportunities for new entrants on the ground (several were recruited from You Make It, a charity that empowers low-income, minority and underrepresented young women in London) and for junior to mid-level crew who are progressing to their first jobs in more senior roles. This was made possible by a new initiative from the BFI Film Fund, with support from seasoned senior crew members and HoDs. The majority of departments have significant BAME representation, and overall, the crew is 75% female, reflecting the protagonists of the story being told on screen. 

Award-winning playwright Theresa Ikoko is making her feature debut, working with co-writer Claire Wilson (Partners in Crime). Gavron wanted a female DoP to capture the female teenage aesthetic, as well as a female second-unit DoP, whose teams have evolved to be entirely women. The production team includes casting director Lucy Pardee, director of photography Hélène Louvart, production designer Alice Normington, costume designer Ruka Johnson, editor Maya Maffioli, and hair and make-up designer Nora Robertson.

Film4 and BFI are presenting this Fable Pictures production in association with Head Gear FilmsMetrol Technology, Kreo Films, Altitude Film Sales and Wellcome.

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