what is bear?

A love story interrupted by terror. A camera that keeps recording. An account of who we can become when faced with evil.

bear is a raw and intimate found footage drama about a young couple whose quiet celebration of life in a London park is shattered by a terrorist attack. It’s a story about the fragility of life, and the quiet moments of humanity that survive when the world falls apart.

the story

Georgie and Albie are in love. They film each other as they wander through the city - Albie proposes, and they plan their future, laugh and dream. It’s a beautiful day.

Then, they hear a sound they only know from the movies. It sounds different, as if it’s everywhere all at once. People run. And the camera keeps rolling.

Through fractured footage, we witness their fight to survive, the unraveling of who they were, and the quiet, devastating grace that emerges.

It’s a story about loss – the loss of control, of innocence, and about the only thing we can do when we lose everything.

“Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing: your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation.”

- Viktor E. Frankl

director's statement

My name is Shaked Lev and I’m the writer, director and co-producer of bear. In my home country, the threat of terrorism is woven into everyday life. Living in the UK, I noticed how distant that reality can feel for others. Terrorism is often seen as something that happens ‘somewhere else.’ But it isn’t. It’s here. And it can happen to anyone.

With bear, I want to close that distance.

This story is a fictional doorway, inviting audiences to connect, emotionally and viscerally, with the human experience behind the headlines. Whatever your worldview, this film is about ordinary people, just like you. It invites everyone to make space for empathy and walk away with a greater awareness of how fragile, and how precious, ordinary life is.

This film is inspired by the courage and resilience of real life survivors and victims.

why it matters

bear is our way of bridging the gap between those who know the fear of terror, and those who’ve never had to think about it.

We’re not trying to shock, we’re trying to show what it feels like to survive, or to love someone who doesn’t.

If you’ve ever held someone tighter because of what’s happening in the world, if you believe in the power of human stories to change perspectives, then bear is for you.

how we're telling it

bear is told entirely through found footage, filmed by the characters themselves. The handheld style pulls the viewer directly into the emotional reality of it all. Early scenes are romantic, warm and full of hope, to highlight the absurdity of violence in such beauty. As the attack begins, the camera becomes chaotic, reactive, fragmented. What we see reflects what the characters experience: confusion, fear, love and loss.

The violence remains off screen. This is not a spectacle – it’s a human story. Sound will be the texture of the film: every breath, every gunshot, every silence matters.

our characters

Georgie is a self reliant, resourceful person, always composed and deliberate in everything she does – from her perfectly styled hair and nails down to the measured tone of her voice. As a singer, she views life much like her craft: something she can control. When faced with a situation that strips her of that control, she struggles to reclaim it, even if it puts her in danger.

Albie is a pure soul who finds joy in the simplest things and sees the often ignored beauty in the world. As a literature teacher, he dedicates most of his time to guiding his students toward a brighter future. With his unwavering optimism and laid back attitude, he has become a pillar of support for Georgie. However, when they encounter a danger he never imagined possible, his innocence begins to crack, and he fights to stay a bright light in the darkness.

setting

Albie has an eye for beauty, and through his camera, we see the world as he sees it. The story is set mostly in a London park, where nature, laughter and everyday moments shine – until reality fractures.

The park isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a symbol of openness and safety. That’s what makes its unraveling so devastating.

moodboard

what we need

We’re in pre-production and set to shoot in July. We’re asking for your help to make bear with the care, honesty and quality it deserves.

Your support will help us:

This story is sensitive, and we’re handling it with the utmost respect - for the subject, the audience, and everyone involved in making the film.

our team

bear is being brought to life by an intimate, diverse group of emerging filmmakers from around the world. Together, we’re committed to telling a story that fosters empathy, highlights resilience, and invites reflection about who we are and who we can become.

Shaked Lev – Writer / Director / Co-Producer

Malu Celini – Producer

Sofia Greig – 1st AD

Yuval Avitan Akirav – Director of Photography

Anna Grace Mitchell – Production Designer

Yinyun Lin – Gaffer / 1st Assistant Camera

Joel Brick – 2nd Assistant Camera

Jeff Murray – Spark

George Warren – Composer

We’re still finalizing some key roles and are excited to bring on more collaborators that care deeply about this story.

budget

be part of it

This is a small film with a big heart, and we need you to help bring it to life. If this story speaks to you, if you believe in honest, emotional, bold storytelling, please consider backing bear and joining us on this journey.

Bear witness with us.