Experiencing Interruptions?

Better Life

After a truly beautiful life begins to crack and falter, an emotionally crippled man, Ben Peterson finds himself recalling memories that he had not yet experienced. After his mind becomes over run with visions beyond his comprehension, tragedy strikes. Ben is left with no option other than to seek peace. When faced with his end, he comes across an extraordinary reality in which everything he knows, is a lie.

  • Lou Heritage
    Producer
  • Kieran Kavanagh
    Producer
  • Dean Hassell
    Producer
  • Kieran J Kavanagh
    Writer
  • Kieran J Kavanagh
    Director
  • Lou Heritage
    DOP
  • Dean Hassell
    1st Assistant Director
  • Lou Heritage
    VFX Supervisor
  • Lloyd Dodge
    Key Cast
    "Ben"
  • Turaya Rose
    Key Cast
    "Sophia"
  • Connor Devlin
    Key Cast
    "Dr Reins"
  • Shabazz St Leonce
    Key Cast
    "Eli?"
  • Dean Hassell
    Key Cast
    "The CEO"
  • Lou Heritage
    Key Cast
    "Sigma"
  • Kieran Kavanagh
    Key Cast
    "Alpha"
  • Lou Heritage
    Camera Operator
  • Liam Cosgrove
    2nd Unit Camera Operator
  • Mollie Brooks
    Hair & Makeup
  • Keely Pass
    EPK
  • Lucy Hughes
    Props Coordinator
  • Kieran Kavanagh
    Drone Pilot
  • Lou Heritage
    Editor
  • Kieran Kavanagh
    Art Director
  • Dean Hassell
    Locations
  • Kieran Kavanagh
    Locations
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Dystopian, Fantasy, Suspense, Science Fiction, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 12, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    600 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kieran J Kavanagh

A director & writer that takes pride in being different, Kieran Kavanagh has been inspired by the experiences of his past, turning them into creative fictional masterpieces. Working by any means to bring these ideas to life, using many practical skills and DIY techniques that are required when working on a tight budget to create other worldly set pieces and props to truly immerse his audience. Mainly focusing on dark stories that will provoke thought and take the audience on a wild journey. There are many adventures to come.

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Director Statement

I would say my inspiration for creating a Sci-Fi piece stemmed from a core memory of my Father coming home one night and into mine and my Brothers room to show us what he had purchased that day, he was so excited. It was the original VHS box set of Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars! I had no idea what Star Wars was at this point! The golden box set too. I can’t recall how long after, but I shortly experienced what became one of the greatest stories I had set my eyes upon, I loved it! The vast worlds, characters, stories and, what once I could eventually understand, the practical effects, costumes, and sets, truly real filmmaking. I recall my second inspiration for Sci-Fi being Spielberg’s 2001 Artificial Intelligence. This demonstrated to me how adaptations of different worlds or even the future could leave you feeling unsettled and uneasy. With both these in mind, I was able to demonstrate my adaptation of how I feel humanity might one day become. A world defeated by consumerism, technology, and overstimulation. Better Life demonstrates the point in time where the simulation boom might take place and how tainted it could all become. A failing environment combined with over stimulated residents will lead to a need for something more.

In this Sci-Fi, the story takes rather a dramatic and quite emotional turn, unlike your usual Action Sci-Fi. I wanted to demonstrate loss and struggling mental health into this film as a bit of an outlet to a difficult time in my life that I faced. I find that writing these feelings into stories is a great coping mechanism for myself.

All in all, this film would not have been achieved by myself. This film was created by three friends, The Dukes of Cinema. We have demonstrated with the production of this film, that a big budget and big crew is not necessary to achieve a quality cinematic piece and that done right, VFX and practical effects work hand in hand. We aim to inspire others to get out there and create film. With great minds alike for brilliant new unique stories, we have a lot of heat to bring to the Cinema game.