As well as directing and starring in the film, Greta Bellamacina is a poet and actor who made her acting debut at the age of 13...
As well as directing and starring in the film, Greta Bellamacina is a poet and actor who made her acting debut at the age of 13 and whose acting credits include Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire. She has just played the female lead in Jamie Adam's new film VENICE AT DAWN and a main role in THE LONG GAME, by American Psycho producer Lauren McLaughlin, both set for release in 2021. Her poetry collection Tomorrow's Woman, recently out, is published globally by Andrews McMeel/Simon and Schuster. This exciting new film is her directing debut.
Directors Statement:
HURT BY PARADISE is a film about a woman who is trying to figure out the world through a poetic lens. I wanted to let the city be as much of a subject as the characters, and the film happens in two worlds- the comedic world of the script and the poetic world of Celeste's internal monologue. I wanted to explore these contrasting realms of poetry and comedy. I also wanted to make a film about a single mother that doesn't catastrophise the situation, because being a single mother is not a catastrophe and I feel it is too often portrayed negatively in cinema. Ultimately the film is about female friendship, about getting through and not forgetting to laugh, not forgetting to dream — about looking to the sky and not giving up on finding poetry in the world.
HURT BY PARADISE was nominated for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and nominated for Best UK Feature Film at Raindance.
Synopsis: Celeste is a struggling young poet and single mother trying to carve out a career as a poet in modern-day London and faced with rejection upon rejection as she tries to find a publisher. Meanwhile her friend, Stella, dreams of becoming an actor and faces a punishing round of soul destroying auditions. However, most of her time is taken up with baby sitting Celeste’s young son and having an online romance with a fantasy boyfriend she has never met.
Above all a tale of friendship and family, with Celeste desperately searching for her father who abandoned her, the film is also a loving cinematic ode to London. This strongly female influenced film stars Greta alongside Tanya Burr, Sadie Brown, Jamie Winstone and Camilla Rutherford.
HURT BY PARADISE is released in UK Cinemas 18th September 2020.
