Four stars by The Times. Four stars by Metro. Prettybird director, Tom Beard’s first film, Two for Joy, premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival to rave reviews and has just begun its run in cinemas in the UK.
“A thoughtful, powerful meditation on grief…superbly convincing performances.” [Total Film]
“An emotionally rich, beautifully executed drama.” [Empire]
“A beautifully crafted and emotionally rich drama that will surely go down as one of the best British films of the year.” [The Quietus]
It’s the story of modern Britain seen through the eyes of a family in crisis. A story of the aftermath of a death in the family. A story of the struggles of family life.
The film’s idea ignited and developed over the last six years through a series of short films and photographic projects by Tom Beard. It was shot on 35mm film, was produced by Sadie Frost and Emma Comley, and stars Samantha Morton, Billie Piper, Daniel Mays, Emilia Jones and Badger Skelton.
Beard commented, “Making this film has been an emotional and cathartic process, seeing your characters being brought to life by such incredible talents is a magical experience. Sitting in the edit for so long you wonder if it will ever be finished so seeing it finally cut and out in the world is truly a bizarre but wonderful feeling. When I was sat on the bus writing this I had no idea the script would ever even be picked up, as it deals with some difficult but important themes, which are so often overlooked in this day and age. The storyline and its themes of mental health and young carers are so poignant today. I have so much gratitude to all the financiers and producers that believed in this project from the beginning. It’s that trust and confidence in the script that saw this film finished and to our screens.”
Tom Beard began working with Prettybird in 2017, and quickly began attracting applause for his unique storytelling technique and talent for filmmaking, stills, shorts and music videos including his album art work for both Florence + The Machine’s High as Hope and Jessie Ware’s GlassHouse; and the NHS Give Blood campaign. Beard’s provocative video, Papi Pacify, with FKA Twigs won an MVA for Best Low Budget Video.
The London born writer-filmmaker and photographer brings an observational and intimate approach to filmmaking from his photography background and has cultivated in a style exclusive to himself that is highlighted by his ability to unearth the surreal in the everyday idiosyncrasies of life.
That ability to create difference also comes through in Beard’s ads:
Prettybird & Pablo: A wonderful everyday metaphor for the blood donations that should be
Credits:
Written and Directed by Tom Beard
Producers: Sadie Frost & Emma Comley
Screenplay: Tom Beard
Production Design: Laura Ellis Cricks
Editing: Izzy Curry
Cinematography: Tim Sidell
Music: Rodaidh McDonald
Co-funded by BFI, Creative England and Goldfinch Studios.
A Blonde to Black Pictures production with support from Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology, White and Company, in collaboration with Kodak and Cinelab.
