Seeking answers, a young woman meets her biological mother who gave her up as a child.

Interview with Director Miles Berkley-Smith

Watch Like Waves here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Of course, anything we create is personal in it's own way and while Like Waves isn't immediately biographical, there are many elements which are personal and that I must have wanted to externalise somehow. I've always been inspired by the regional dramas of film-makers like Shane Meadows and I wanted to show the people and places I knew growing up on the South Coast, that I often feel aren't shown on screen. Showing how people who haven't had an easy life carry on, without sensationalising and stereotyping working class people as film and TV often do.

I also wanted to challenge myself to ground the majority of the drama in one location and lean heavily on performances and dialogue, drama at it's rawest, so as to allow the characters and their personal dramas to be the main focus rather then the filmmaking. During the casting, the Producer and I noticed just how few working class actresses are in the industry and this really drove us to seek authenticity in the casting process, and to avoid casting someone in a way that felt like they were playing down.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I think the film tells a really engaging and heartfelt story which unfolds throughout the course of the film. The performances are amazingly raw and nuanced.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The experience of Kaye and Jess, of a parent and child reuniting, whilst more common then we might think, is still not something most people have personally experienced. That said, the films universal themes are about family, loss, grief and the hard choice to start on the road to forgiveness and having to bury years of resentment and bitterness to do so. Things I think most people can relate to.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script developed in much the way they often do. I wrote something with quite a clear idea of the overall arc and setting, of the characters and the dynamic between them. I had a strong sense of the character of Kaye having known many women like her growing up, but rarely seeing a character like that on screen. Feedback from the Producer and a few close friends, both part of the film industry and not, helped refine certain elements further. In particular the casting of Johanna and Indianna were vital to the development of the film. They immediately had a fantastic chemistry and took ownership of the characters in a delightful way bringing so much of themselves to the role. The same can be said for every member of crew who brought their own creativity and passion to the project, each one leaving a unique mark on the productions.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We've had really great feedback mainly with people connecting with the characters. Broadly people responded well to the style of filmmaking and enjoyed the unfolding drama.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was really pleased with how people have responded to the film. I was worried that people would be overly judgemental of Kaye, but overall people have really connected with her story. It's not a flashy film and I was worried this might put people off, but so far it hasn't.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We're looking for greater exposure for the film and the work of the crew. In particular Johanna and Indianna gave incredible performances and it'd be great to give them the spotlight they deserve. I'd worked with most of the crew before and they all did an astounding job.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

film festival directors, journalists, distributors

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

My main goal was really just to engage an audience and I'd like the film to do that and reach as broader audience as possible. I'd love to see how the film plays to a more international audience and how people from outside the UK might relate to the characters and ideas in the film.
I think the film shows a part of the UK we don't often see. We shot on location in St. Leonards on Sea, a place that's rapidly changing since I was a kid, and I think it's good that the film industry is shooting more stories outside of London. I hope Like Waves is a part of that movement.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How are working class people represented on screen. Are they often three dimensional characters?

Would you like to add anything else?

Just to thank all the cast and crew for all the energy and passion they brought to the film.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Miles is currently writing his next short, and has just finished editing a short for Film4.

Interview: June 2022

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Like Waves

Length:
13:00

Writer/Director

Like Waves is Miles Berkley-Smith’s directorial debut, working with a talented crew of people with whom he's collaborated with over the years as an Editor on various project.

Producer

Ben Hector is an established independent short film maker with a successful track record at festivals with his own short films. Stepping into the role of Producer on Like Waves was a chance to help facilitate someone else's creative vision and share the years of experience he's garnered making his own films.

Key cast:

Indianna Ryan (Jess), Johanna Allitt (Kaye)

Looking for:

distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Social media:

https://www.facebook.com/miles.berkleysmith

https://www.instagram.com/milesberkleysmith/

Hashtags used:

#shortfilm #drama #regional #realism #filmshortageshortshorts #indiefilm #stleonardsonsea

Where can I watch it now?

Film Shortage: Daily Picks/Online - 20220531