Freddie Fox’s The Painting & The Statue: A Timeless Love Story Premiering at HollyShorts

Key Takeaways

Freddie Fox draws inspiration from ancient artifacts and forgotten art, using them to craft a unique love story that questions what stories our surroundings might tell if they could speak.
The film captures a reflective moment, where two art pieces connect, transcending time and space in a magical instant.
Freddie believes in the power of comedy, aiming to create films that bring lightness to audiences amidst the world's darkness.

Introduction

In his latest work, The Painting & The Statue, filmmaker Freddie Fox delves into a love story as timeless as the art pieces it centers around.

The narrative unfolds within a single room, capturing the silent and unseen world of a painting and a statue that bear witness to the passage of history.

The film features a strong ensemble cast including Mark Gatiss, Asim Chaudhry, Tanya Reynolds, and others, with Ryan Eddleston as the Director of Photography and Violet Elliot as the Production Designer.

The film will have its Work Premiere at HollyShorts Film Festival, a testament to Freddie’s creative vision and storytelling prowess.

BTS shot from *The Painting & The Statue*

Q&A Interview

What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?

My whole life I've been in love with old buildings. I've been drawn to the weird and wonderful stories behind ancient artefacts and lost pieces of art, hidden amongst the time-warp of old rooms. I wanted to tell a love story from their perspective, and by extension the items that fill all our lives but are often forgotten or overlooked. What would the walls say if they could talk, and how can I tell that story as simply as possible?

The reason for telling it now is because, in a world that so often feels filled with sadness and darkness everywhere we turn, I wanted to craft a love story from something beautiful yet unconventional. Something to put a smile on the audiences faces, and to remind them that the world is filled with hidden beauty everywhere. You only have to choose to look for it.

What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time?

As soon as I found the location, suddenly the story sprung to life. The room is as an important a character in the room as any that are breathing and talking. Once I understood how I could block everything within that one space, the script leapt off the page at me, and I realised this strange idea I'd had was actually achievable. It was so exciting. Then we went through the nightmare of getting permission to use it... If I hadn't succeeded, I don't think I could have made the film at all.

Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?

I think if you asked any of my friends, the whole idea is very reflective of my personality. I don't like getting lost in darkness for too long. There needs to be lightness and comedy in the work I make. If there were one scene, either the 1920s drunk sequence with the wheelbarrow... I laughed so much on the first take of that. Or perhaps the final dancing statue sequence... Andy danced that sequence so beautifully I was literally welling up watching him do it.

"I hope they smile. Laugh. And who knows, maybe shed a tear."

Film still from *The Painting & The Statue*

What do you hope audiences take away from your film?

Ultimately, the film is about beauty, time and love. If they feel any of those themes have been treated well and they've enjoyed themselves, I'll be very happy.

What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?

It's unbelievable. I am so honoured that my film, my strange little idea, is having its Work Premiere at one of the most prestigious short film festivals in the world in the birthplace of modern cinema. It's the biggest thrill.

How do you hope being part of HollyShorts will shape the life of this film?

I hope it gives the film the platform to be discussed and shared by new audiences and fellow filmmakers alike, and that other film festivals feel emboldened to programme it. It took over 2 years of work to get it to this point, and I think one of HollyShorts great strengths is that it attracts filmmakers & programmers from all over the world to share their work. I'd love the film to travel for as long as possible as its themes are universal, and premiering at HollyShorts will, I believe, give it the very best chance of doing that.