Director and writer Jess Dowse has created her first short film ‘My Condolences to Your Future Lovers.

It is a LGBTQI+ short film and was produced by The Daily Lunge UK.

Storyline:

Determined to fight for her summer love, idealist Vicky argues passionately for young love and picture-perfect moments convinced Stacey is just scared or, even worse, in the closet.

From the Director:

“This film is based on my very first break-up. It’s a Cliché, I know... but I wanted my first film to be a conversation and this was the most intense one I could remember! I decided to do it in one-take to increase that intensity. With both characters confined to the car and trapped inside this awkward moment unable or unwilling to escape, the one-shot nicely mirrors that feeling and doesn’t give the audience the option of escape either.

I was drawn to this conversation because upon revisiting it, it revealed to me my immense emotional immaturity; that much of what I had said and done seemed more like a dramatic performance-say the right thing, listen to the right music and then that’s “love.” It felt like such a betrayal to realise the other person was playing a role too...who then heartbreakingly lost her commitment to the part. The part is also that of a newly out LGBTQI+ woman of course... all I, and now Vicky, thought you needed to do was be brave enough, love enough and all the other problems would fade away. The truth being, of course, vastly more complex... something of which only Stacey seems aware. I have always been drawn to the role-playing and fantasy that takes place in everyday life, particularly in youth and for me that’s what this film is fundamentally about.”