Private Project

BeLly

'BeLly' is an experimental short film about body image and body dysmorphia.

  • Magdalena Maria Herfurtner
    Director
  • Magdalena Maria Herfurtner
    Writer
  • Magdalena Maria Herfurtner
    Producer
  • Mathias Falcone
    Cinematography
  • George Davies
    Sound Design
  • Madil Hardis
    Music
  • Magdalena Maria Herfurtner
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 26, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Magdalena Maria Herfurtner

Magdalena Herfurtner is a German filmmaker, producer and musician, resident in London. She studied Vocal Performance at University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich and Screenwriting at Central Film School London.

Magdalena co-produced the multi-award-winning short film 'The Power of One Coin' (2018), line-produced Sergei Alexander's feature debut 'Your Eyes on Me' (which won Best LGBT Feature at LIFF 2020), and has written and produced a variety of experimental short films and music videos, among them 'Trinette' (2019), 'Sacrifice' (2020) and 'Five Moments' (2022).

With her music project Madil Hardis, Magdalena has released over 30 singles and EPs over the last few years. She appeared as a guest singer on Ashbury Heights' hit single 'Wild Eyes' and her songs and collaborations have to date accumulated 1.4 million streams on Spotify. Her song 'Summers Lost' is featured diegetically in the coming-of-age drama 'Giantland'.

Magdalena has extensive experience in art crowdfunding, having raised almost 50k for various film projects and having consulted on over 50 crowdfunding campaigns for the fundraising platform Greenlit. She also regularly co-hosts film events and panel discussions with Cine Circle Events London. In 2021, she was a keynote speaker for Greenlit at the Raindance Film Festival.

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Director Statement

'BeLly' is a film about body image and body dysmorphia.

How we look at ourselves and others - now maybe more than ever - shapes how we experience and see the world. In a generally hostile society, ruled by beauty and health standards that are not achievable for most, we still strive for that elusive physical perfection. We torture and torment both ourselves and each other, and most of all, our bodies.

My relationship with my body has always been a conflicted one, and as a writer, I have, until now, shied away from approaching this subject.

Initially, I created 'BeLly' just for myself. It felt right to explore this idea at the time, and, in a way, it was a cathartic experience. However, I have since been encouraged to share this film, and I do so in the hope that this short will be useful, relatable, meaningful for some viewers out there.