Private Project

The Good Fight

"You have to be willing to fight..." A micro-short, Super 8 parable on the power of protest - and the disappointment of getting what you want.

  • Julie Mayhew
    Director
    Unknown Number, For Mum
  • Julie Mayhew
    Writer
  • Rex Kane
    Key Cast
    "Rebel Kid"
  • Emily Pollet
    Key Cast
    "Rebel Mum"
    The Witcher, The Devil's Hour, Coronation Street
  • Robin Green
    Sound Design
  • Sam Hodge
    Editing
  • Alexander Guy Masters
    Original Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Super 8
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Julie Mayhew

Julie is a journalist turned actress turned writer/director. Her Anglo-German rom-com DON'T MENTION THE WAR was on this year's MUBI-backed WScripted Cannes Screenplay List, she received 2022 BFI Network Early Development Funding for her comic biopic SKATING FOR LADIES, while her grounded sci-fi feature FOR ONLY AN HOUR was a Stowe Story Labs selected script 2021. For TV, she has two series in active development: female-led thriller OFF GRID (a Screencraft Fellowship semi-finalist) and LITTLE NOTHINGS, adapted from one of her six novels. Julie’s short FOR MUM was a finalist at the Orgeon Film Festival, and has played both Doc Heads and Shorts On Tap: Women In Revolt in London. Her previous short UNKNOWN NUMBER played festivals in London, LA and Paris.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film started life as an entry for the Straight 8 initiative – where you shoot one film on one roll of Super 8 , with no editing. Unfortunately, our Bauer Mini S jammed before we got to the end of the roll scuppering our plans. However, the central performance from Rex was so brilliant, so engaging, we knew we had to grab some pick-ups and finish the story anyway.
The idea came from seeing so many people on social media campaign for change then show extreme reluctance to acknowledge their wins. Why is that? Are they in love with the fight, and not the causes itself? As political essayist Rebecca Solnit puts it: “Some activists are afraid that if we acknowledge victory, people will give up the struggle. I’ve long been more afraid that people will give up and go home or never get started in the first place if they think no victory is possible or fail to recognise the victories already achieved.”
Comedy is a brilliant way to talk about the serious stuff. And it was great to lean into the make-shift pretence of this film with homespun credits, handheld shots and childish sound effects. Super 8 is perfect for capturing the innocent enthusiasm of being a kid, and I hope this film prompts viewers to think about which of their younger qualities are worth hanging on to.