It’s A Serendipitous Thing, 2010
Photo Ki Price
It’s A Serendipitous Thing is a contemporary romantic love story. Marcel (Ryan Kiggell), an American expat down on his luck and Lena (Anna Bondareva), a beautiful unemployed Russian, are mutually attracted during a chance encounter at a bus stop.
As Marcel and Lena get to know each other over tea and cake, the future lovers see that they both have the same infinity-symbol tattooed on their wrists. And so it transpires that serendipity marks their destiny.
WATCH THE MOVIE
CAST
Annette Badland (Landlady), Erguz Behloul (Chess Player), Nikki Bennett (Red Clown/Girl with Balloons), Anna Bondareva (Lena Orlova), Alex Dower (Alex), Philip Elvy (Blue Clown), Joe Fox (BMX Rider), Miles Harrison (Disgruntled Customer), Ryan Kiggell (Marcel), Artem Kotov (Busker), Nic (Hand Artist).
Photos Ki Price
CREW
A Zoom Films presentation. Produced by Cassius Matthias. Associate Producer, Avy Andrews.
Directed by Cassius Matthias. Screenplay, Cassius Matthias. Camera, Peter Butler; editor, Miikka Leskinen; music, Miguel Mera; production designer, Hauke Richter; costume designer, Eleanor Baker; hair & make-up designer, Sue Wyburgh; sound, Gareth John; sound editor, Richard Fordham; re-recording sound mixer, Jamie Roden; assistant director, Ohna Falby.
PRODUCTION STILLS
MUSIC
Composer Miguel Mera says, “For this final part of the short film trilogy we wanted to create a romantic, lush sound. We recorded a string quintet, piano and harp. One of the big challenges was incorporating elements of a pre-existing solo violin piece by William Yeates Hurlstone (1876-1906), Fantasie – Variations on a Swedish Air. Played in the story by a Busker, the piece is performed on a late 18th century Giovanni Battista Ceruti (1756-1817) violin both on screen and on the soundtrack by Artem Kotov. In the end the Hurlstone was transformed into an expansive love theme for the two central characters, Lena and Marcel, that feels both inescapable and serendipitous.”
[audio:https://cassiusmatthias.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Infinity1.mp3|titles=Infinity]
[audio:https://cassiusmatthias.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Its-A-Serendipitous-Love-Thing.mp3|titles=It’s A Serendipitous Love Thing]
CREATING LENA ORLOVA’S LOOK
Sue Wyburgh, hair and make-up designer, comments on creating the look for the central character of Lena, played by Anna Bondareva, above left and centre, “When I first met Cassius I knew we would work well together. He had definite ideas about the ‘vibration’ of the film but I also realized that he would allow me the freedom to express myself. The script required a gentle, romantic feel and we discussed having a strong 1940s influence for Lena.”
Photos Ki Price
Sue continues, “I looked at films including Brief Encounter and Casablanca and researched period fashion and film reference books. I decided that a good model for Lena would be early Lauren Bacall whose beauty and sensuality inspired the kind of glossy glamour I was looking for. The hair needed to be set and a strong colour was essential for the lips; particularly as we get The Kiss at the climax of the picture.”
STUNTS AND LOCATION
Photos Ki Price
Carhartt BMX Team rider, Joe Fox, on the “Tunnel of Love” set rehearsing a stunt, above left. BRB at The Gate, Alexandra Palace, above centre, was chosen for its 1875 period pub interior with massive windows giving views of the randomness of life on the street.
PRODUCTION NOTES
Filmed on 18 October 2009
Camera, Sony HDW-F900R
Running time, 11 min
Colour
Edited on Final Cut Pro
Format, HDCAM-SR
Dolby 5.1
Aspect Ratio, 2.35:1
Shot on location in Alexandra Palace, Wood Green
Made in London
POSTER
Poster design Dan Mitchell
TRAILER