Talk To Me | Time To Change Campaign

Selected for the London Independent Film Festival and shortlisted for the Charity Film Awards.
1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. We are proud to present the short film “Talk To Me”, for cinema release in support of the Time To Change campaign. Sponsored by Soho House, the film features Christopher Eccleston, Tom Goodman-Hill, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Niamh Cusack, who are among over thirty writers, poets, actors and mental health ambassadors to have collaborated on an art-led piece by Steuart Padwick. All wrote and recorded deeply personal poetry about the importance of communication for mental health.
Please share this film as widely as possible. #talktomeLDN #timetochange #mentalhealthawareness #film #production #cinema #steuartpadwick #sculpture #publicart #kingscross #artinstallation #poetry #art #sohohouse
CREDITS | Executive Producer Gretchen Shoring | Director Dan Henshaw | Cinematographer Alfred Thirolle | Composer Andrew Hale | Producers Kelly Ford, Claire Northcott, Tess Gomm | Stills Photographer Tim Cole | Steadicam Operators Torquil Fleming-Boyd & Rafal Rakoczy | 1st ADs James Dyer & Laurent Durham | Focus Pullers Dan Shoring & George Phull | 2nd ACs Matt Lewis & Catharina Scarpellini | Gaffer Jeff Celis | Sound Recordist Tam Shoring | Production Assistant Taran Lehal | Runner Harvey Lehal | Editor Joseph Henshaw | Colourist Richard Fearon | Sound Design Richard Spooner | Equipment courtesy of FAVA Rental, Pro Light London, Shoot Blue | Post production courtesy of Trim Editing, Black Kite Studios, Goldcrest Post Production.
Talk To Me | Time To Change Campaign2023-03-26T19:02:42+00:00

Two sculptural figures – each standing 5.5 metres tall – were installed in King’s Boulevard, King’s Cross, during the London Design Festival by artist Steuart Padwick. Steuart’s aim was to remind passers-by that the burdens so many of us carry can be reduced through communication. Poetry was part of the installations.

Like the sculptures, the Talk To Me film needed to be creatively bold. Led by the award winning Director Dan Henshaw and Executive Producer Gretchen Shoring, we crafted a poetry-led narrative journey around the sculptures. With the graphic lines of cranes against the sky; the throngs of people pouring down Kings Boulevard – we show the chaos of the city as a metaphor for mental health.

Gretchen Shoring, Exec Producer said: “Doing justice to this subject with only limited resources was a real challenge for our production team. Fortunately we were able to reach out to some incredibly talented creatives who gave their time, kit and resources for nothing to make a film we are really proud of.

Dan Henshaw, Director said: “It was an honour to work on the project, which combines such a powerful message with beautiful, striking immersive pieces of art. By featuring Christopher Eccleston, Niamh Cusack, Tom Goodman-Hill and others it will help us reach a wider audience, and the film will resonate with as many people as possible as it deals with issues that affect so many of us”.

Jo Loughran, Director of Time To Change said: “We know that being open about mental health, and ready to talk and to listen, can change lives. We’re thrilled to be a part of Talk to Me, which will act as an unmissable reminder of the power of hearing and being heard. You don’t have to be an expert to talk – just being human, empathetic and caring is enough.”

Time To Change: is a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health problems. The campaign is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and thousands more organisations have joined to make change happen. For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

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Citizen Films Ltd., Unit BM3S.06, Barley Mow Centre, 10 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London, W4 4PH
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