FLEAS
Inspired by Surrealist and German Expressionist movements, 'FLEAS' utilises a vivid visual language to critique prevailing views of lower class citizens in the UK. Through the use of symbols and liminal spaces, the film invites viewers to intellectually engage with their own perceptions of class and the artificiality of societal stereotypes. I engage with Kammerspide techniques in German Expressionist films to create a claustrophobic atmosphere reflective of being pigeonholed by class stereotypes.
The pre-production process utilises surrealist techniques, liberating the mind, as to reflect on the constraints imposed by socio-political constraints and stereotypes.
I am immensely proud of the cast and crew who brought my unique and strange vision to life. I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase the resilience and complexity of individuals often marginalised by society.
All of these elements are designed to create active spectatorship and I encourage viewers to engage with the poetic layers of 'FLEAS,' exploring the range of interpretations embedded within its symbolism. These levels of multiple interpretation reflect how people are not monoliths and can choose what they want to become.
At its core, 'FLEAS' seeks to dismantle the confines of class constructs, challenging viewers to see beyond surface-level assumptions.
Maria Hill (Writer & Director)
Film Synopsis
Exploring feudal class stereotypes and the nuclear family in the UK, FLEAS is short film deeply inspired by the German Expressionist and Surrealist movements.
This film was produced as part of a final-year practice-based dissertation project.
Cast
CHARLOTTE JOHN – AS MOTHER
WILL OLIVER – AS FATHER
EVELYN IVISON – AS DAUGHTER
ELIJAH GALLIMORE – AS SON
Will was apart of the main cast for As We Go (Martins, 2024), ‘Crystal Gazing’ (2023) and ‘The Pope and The Punch’ (Simpkins, 2024). He has also had multiple roles in Lancaster University’s Theatre Society.
ELIJAH GALLIMORE – AS SON
Elijah has acted on stage multiple times such as Alan Strang in EQUUS, Obafemi in After Life, and a bunch of musicals and some Shakespeare.
Evelyn is a theatre students at Lancaster University and has been in multiple short films such as ‘Cold Calling’ (Onakunle, 2023), ‘Cocoon’ (Delahunty-Forrest and Harte, 2024).
Charlotte has trained with Jim Cartwright at Cartwright Drama Studio and has various roles with the Lancaster University Comedy Institute. She has worked in a number of student short films.
Trailer
Stills
Crew Crew List
Alexia is the writer and director of Psychosis (2024) and has worked on multiple short films such as ‘Wince’ (Broad, 2023), ‘Reminiscence’ (Tsang, 2023), and ‘The Monster You Are’ (Glendinning, 2023).
Amy is a freelance artist with backstage credits in LUGT’s Hamlet, God of Carnage, and The Lost Songbird. She has created multiple puppets for stage
Dawid has edited multiple films such as ‘Platform’ (Fong, 2023) and ‘Mirrors’ (2023). He has had work as a director and videographer for ‘Tezoro Sports’ and wrote and directed ‘Thank You For Your Service’ (2024).
Scarlett is the director for ‘Victim’ (Gill, 2023) and has worked as cinematographer and camera operator for ‘Farmer’s Wife’ (2023) and ‘Wince’ (2023). She has also worked as a producer for ‘Retrospect’ (Broad, 2024).
Ellie has worked on multiple short films such as ‘POP’ (2023) and ‘Out of My Place’ (2024).
Joe is the creator of the Lancaster Surrealists Society and has had his surrealist artwork shown at the Northern Design Festival. Joe has worked on the crew of multiple short films such as As We Go (Martins, 2024) and The Pope and The Punch (2024), however this is his first time working as production designer.
Michaël is a dancer-turned-filmmaker who has directed and choreographed multiple dance, music, and narrative videos such as his debut feature film ‘Where The Skin Lies’ through Hulu in the US. Michaël has also worked as a consultant on Belgian reality show Kamp Waes and is currently undertaking his postgraduate research at LICA. He is a qualified intimacy coordinator qualified by Intimacy Directors and Coordinators in the US.
Naomi is the writer-director of Cold Calling (2023) and ‘Broken’ (2024). She has worked on other short films as a producer, sound designer, and assistant production designer, including ‘Platform’ (Fong, 2023).
This is Phoebe’s début as a producer. Previously she has worked on the set of ‘Behind You’ (Caneschi, 2024).
Maria has written and directed a few award winning short films, including ‘To Feel So Many Feelings’ (Hill, Yohan, Drave, 2023) which placed 3rd at Art Beats Festival 2023, and ‘Platform’ (Fong, 2022). She’s worked as cinematographer on multiple short films including ‘Thank You For Your Service’ (Dawid, 2024) and ‘Retrospect’ (Broad, 2024).
Roshan has worked on multiple short films as DoP and Cameraperson, such as ‘An Angry Voice and One Who Cried’ (Silva, 2023), ‘Pop’ (Fong, Turnbull, 2023) and Cold Calling (Onakunle, 2023).
Sky has directed short films ‘Platform’ (2023), ‘POP’ (2023), and ‘Out Of My Place’ (2024). He has a staked resume working as DoP, producer, and gaffer in a range of other student films, such as ‘Cold Calling’ (Onakunle, 2023).
MARIA-ELLA-MAY-HILL – DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, SCRIPTWRITER, CO-PRODUCER, EDITOR
PHOEBE DAVIS – CO-PRODUCER
JOE SIMPKINS – PRODUCTION DESIGNER
AMY BROOK – ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ROSHAN ADVE – 1ST CAMERA OPERATOR
SCARLETT GILL – 2nd CAMERA OPERATOR
NAOMI ONAKUNLE – SOUND RECORDIST
ELLIE COOK – GAFFER / CLAPPER
SKY FONG – GAFFER / CLAPPER
DAWID STASIAK – ASSISTANT EDITOR
MICHAËL BOUCHERIE – INTIMACY COORDINATOR
ALEXIA BAZAVAN – MAKE-UP AND HAIR ARTIST
ANNA DAVIS – BTS PHOTOGRAPHER
ABBIE WARD – BTS PHOTOGRAPHER