“Leopard” By James Arden
Rocky begins to question the strict routine set by her father - as well as deeper feelings about her own identity - after meeting a girl in a local launderette.
I wanted to make a film that not only confronts uncomfortable notions of commonplace sexual harassment, but goes deeper to explore how such cumulative social and sexual pressure might push a young girl to her limits. Alongside this, I want to tell a simple story of youthful infatuation - Sasha, the girl Rocky meets in the laundrette, is in many ways her opposite; confident and carefree. Their relationship begins at a time of uncertainty and self-discovery in Rocky’s life.
Leopard is an intentionally composed and claustrophobic film - we don’t stray from Rocky’s closed-off world as we follow her journey to better understand and find her place, and a glimmer of hope, in a frequently unforgiving world - no matter how small.
In terms of inspiration, I was looking heavily at the social realist work of filmmakers like Andrea Arnold and Ken Loach, both of whom I admire greatly for their emotionally impactful work. We scouted dozens of working laundrettes in South London until we found the perfect location, not only for how it looked - rundown and full of character - but for the community around it, where we filmed all our exteriors - I wanted that setting to feel as real as possible; the small world Rocky occupies in her closed-off world. We shot for 4 days on a very tight budget and schedule, but a great team made it a pleasure from start to finish.
I’d like to thank ARRI and Framestore for their support in bringing this film to life.
James Arden - Writer & Director
Credits
Written & Directed by James Arden
Produced by James Arden & Poppy Ashton
Cinematographer: Ronnie McQuillan
Production Designer: Wyndham Harris
1st AD: Lawrence Phillips
Editor: James Arden
Colourist: Jessica Vile (Framestore)
Sound Designer: Odinn Ingibergsson
Sound Recordist: Joe Bulmer
Rocky: Elisha Applebaum
Sasha: Eleanor Grace
Daniel: Geoffrey Maccarthy
Dad: Nicholas Clarke
Boy 1: Jake Ashton-Nelson
Boy 2: Quinton Arigi
Executive Producer: Lawrence Phillips
Executive Producer: Ronnie McQuillan
Casting Director: Sydney Aldridge
Costume Designer: Charlotte Grant
Costume Buyer: Sophia Katyea
Hair & Make Up Designer: Rachel Keane
Art Department Assistant: Joshanne Dar
Runner: Julian Lara Cid
Post Sound: Impulse Post Production Ltd
Foley Artist: Ruthie Knight
1st AC: Davide Scalenghe Migliarini
1st AC: Stefano Seno
2nd AC: Luke Priadi
Gaffer: Paul Choy
Spark: Joseph Hargreaves
Spark: Jeff Celis
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