Wasp'in Oscar Buzz - Kentfilmmaker and Close-Up Advisor scoops Oscar
Kent-born filmmaker Andrea Arnold has won the Academy Award in the Best Short Film, Live Action category.
Dartford born Andrea was one of only two British Oscar winners at this year's awards. Of her award she said: "This is truly overwhelming"
"It's a long way from Dartford!" said Andrea upon receiving her Oscar in Los Angeles. "This is truly overwhelming. I'm not really used to this kind of thing. I'd like to thank everyone who worked on the film. Everyone worked extremely hard. They know who they are. The beers are on me when we get home. In English, I'd say that this is the dog's bollocks. Thank you very much." Wasp was shot in Dartford by Kent-born filmmaker Andrea Arnold, and was described by the Guardian as 'social realist film poetry'. It tells the story of Zoe (Nathalie Press, My Summer of Love) a single mother of four who, when an old boyfriend (Danny Dyer, Football Factory) reappears, takes a few risks to enjoy a couple drinks down the pub and almost ends up paying a high price.
The film has already garnered 30 awards, including the Time Out Critics Prize at Hallowe'en London ICA Short Film Festival, Best Live Action Film at the Worldwide International Short Film Festival, Toronto and more recently the Sundance Film Festival, Utah. The film was initially commissioned by the UK Film Council and Channel 4 for Cinema Extreme scheme, for a budget of 50k.
However, success will not let Andrea lose sight of her grassroots beginnings. She says: "I grew up in Dartford and spent a total of 30 years living in Kent. Everything I write is set in SouthEast Kent - Gravesend, Dartford, Erith. It's where my roots are and I have a huge affection for it.
"What I do know is that I am keen to continue some of the relationships I have already made and forge on with making my small postcard films. I think staying focused on why I wanted to make films in the first place is going to be important amongst all this wonderful madness."
Andrea's success is all the more remarkable as attracting finance and exhibition for short films is notoriously difficult. Screen South, the Regional Film Development Agency for the UK Film Council, stepped in to champion Andrea's route to Oscar glory. They provided financial assistance for film prints and marketing, music clearance, and supported Andrea with training at the great PAL lab in Kent. She also joined Screen South on their Trade Mission to Los Angeles in November 2004.
Says Andrea: "Screen South have been fantastic, they have always believed in me and the film and knew how hard I was working pretty much single-handedly to deal with the festivals."
"I feel they really understand how tough it is to be a emerging film maker and have supported me not just in practical terms but in other ways too. I know I can call them anytime and they will listen and help if they can. In practical terms they've made a huge difference and I am very grateful. Without the funding to clear the music for additional festivals the film would not have gained the exposure it has, it would not have won so many awards."
Gina Fegan, Chief Executive of Screen South, says: "We are absolutely delighted and are jumping up and down with excitement. We are proud to have been in a position to support such a talented filmmaker from the region. Andrea and her stories come from Kent and are about Kent. Hers is a unique voice that has come from the community and it is important that her work be seen and be recognised in the international arena. We wish her all the very best." In supporting Andrea, Screen South are also supporting the next generation of filmmakers. Andrea, who has regularly worked out of Maidstone Studios, always makes a point of involving the local community in her films, both as stars and behind-the-scenes. She says:
"I actively seek out local people to help work on the film. My ambition on a feature film is to have someone from the area on every department with some back-up help or training to help them move on after the film is finished."
Wasp is Andrea's third short film, and is currently working with one of her own personal heroes, Lars Von Trier. Advance Party is a project that involves three filmmakers writing a film using the same nine characters, and is being produced by Zentropa/Sigma Films.
Close-Up Film would like to congratulate Andrea for her Oscar win, and wishes her all the very. Read a full feature on Andrea Arnold and her work in the Summer 2004 issue of Close-Up Film available to buy online.
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