Hiya, we are pleased to announce that we are now fundraising for our UWE final year graduate film 'Soviets & Star Signs'!

Film Logline-

In 1970’s Soviet-occupied Prague, a young magazine editor forced to create propaganda, experiences visions, guiding her along a surreal path of resistance through a newly mandated horoscope column.

Film overview-

In order to bring 1970’s Czechoslovakia to life, we have decided to

take a drastic creative decision, instead of focussing on realism we

have been inspired by classic Hollywood movies. We are filming

in studio spaces, constructing sets that wouldn’t be out of place in

the golden era. This works tonally to create this fantastical space,

showing how these characters live outside reality as well as paying

homage to one of the directors favourite eras of cinema.

This story balances the heaviness of Russian occupied Prague,

sprinkling moments of humour in a world seemingly devoid of hope.

While the backdrop is oppressive, Renata’s fiery determination

and Milan’s dry wit bring a sense of levity. As the film goes on, we

see their dynamic cut through the greyness of this world, making

room for laughter in the space of despair. The tone is bittersweet

but hopeful, as we see Renata begin to overcome her feelings of

powerlessness and take upon her destiny as a small beacon of hope

for those who are looking for it.

Director's statement-

Having written 3 films and directed twice my skills as a director/writer have developed over this course. My recent P1 film, ‘Desk Drawer’, was the best filmmaking experience I have had, being lucky to have such a fantastic cast and crew behind me. I found the collaboration and passion of working with so many talented individuals and am grateful. I have a real passion for storytelling and am desperate to showcase how I have developed as a filmmaker.

Soviets and star signs is an evolution of the film I unsuccessfully pitched for Narrative ‘Youth World’. Over the past year the story hasn’t left my mind and feels like a time in history desperate to be told. I realise the faults in Youth Worlds scale and have made the story simply about the conception of the horoscope column rather than focussing on its runtime. These are not the same films, Soviets and star signs, takes the true story and adds an ethereal and surreal charm. Although a simplified story, the scale remains ambitious which is why I am grateful to have the talented Jack Donovan Taylor on board as co-producer and production designer, who I am confident can execute this ambitious short. We are very familiar working together, teaming up on the documentary module, filmstyle 2 and Production 1, having found a natural understanding of each other’s vision.

Production designer's statement-

Since first designing in year 1, I have fallen in love with the world of the

art department. Growing from one production to the next, I now have

experience designing and working on the production of 6 films. Now given

the opportunity to showcase all I have learned on my journey with

my most ambitious designs to date.

My prospective designs for “Soviets and Stars Signs” plans to bring 1970

Prague to life with studio set builds, Miniatures, period accurate costume, and surreal practical FXs. I aim to bring the grandeur and vibrance of the golden

era of Hollywood to UWE and show that practical production design

exemplifies film in a way Visual FX can’t.

The art department is nothing without its team. I have brought together

as many wonderfully skilled and uniquely talented designers as I can, to

help make our story of hope as beautiful as it deserves to be.

The crew-

Director: Rafe Howgate

Producer: Maya Oyibo-Goss

Director of Photography: Jasmine Bacon-Peniche

Production Manager: Kieran Moses

1st AD: Nicholas Curtis Purnell

Gaffer: James Lord

Spark: Barnaby Cole

Production Designer: Jack Donovan Taylor

Art Director: Maya Evans

Minituare Maker: Ollie Flitton

Art Assistant: Joe Lawrence

Art Assistant: Lisa Hooten

Art Assistant: Izzy Dwerryhouse

Costume: Yi Lan Taylor

Sound designer: Joe Catlow

Script Editor: Sam Kendall

Sound recordist: Oliver Peachment

Script Supervisor: Zac Wilding

Head Editor/SFX: Zac Wilding

Assistant Editor: Alwyn Owen

Colorist: Finlay Neale

Why?

Every donation we get matters very much to us! We are fundraising to cover the costs of production design: Set builds, miniatures, costume, make up, actor fees, transportation and catering etc. This film is our final one and will be screened in the IMAX Bristol in June for our graduate screening! We also hope to take it to film festivals in due time. this film lets all of ur bring our creativity and skills to the table and with support from this fundraiser we can all make this happen!

Big thanks from Maya Oyibo-Goss (Producer)& the Soviets and Star signs team :)

A link to our instagram for updates: Soviets&Starsigns Instagram