Private Project

CROYDON COWGIRL

CROYDON COWGIRL is a bold, upbeat, female-driven romantic drama, set in and around the coastal town of Barry, South Wales. A resonant story about immigration, class, true friendship and the power of love.

Cindie finds herself at the centre of a skewed fairytale when, spurred on by her best friend Crystal, she visits a fortune teller, who reveals that Prince Charming is on his way...
Cindie is a vivacious working-class woman, flitting between unemployment and zero hour contract jobs. At 40 she’s on the cusp of perimenopause, looking bleakly into her future, while clinging to her chaotic party-filled past. Marriage fixer Vivienne, offers Cindie a lifeline – in the shape of marriage to 27 year old Tariq, who has risked his life fleeing Syria to seek asylum in the UK.
Cindie is sceptical, but what has she got to lose? Well, it turns out quite a lot - if she gets caught.

  • Phoebe Barran
    Director
    Snapshots
  • Kellie Shirley
    Writer
    Roar
  • Kayleigh Rees-Paige
    Producer
    Keep Calm and Carry On
  • Kellie Shirley
    Key Cast
    "Cindie"
    In The Long Run, Benediction, Odyssey
  • Melanie Walters
    Key Cast
    "Nova (The Fortune-teller) "
    Gavin and Stacey, Death Valley
  • Sarah Seggari
    Key Cast
    "Amel"
    Ladyparts
  • Aram Mardourian
    Key Cast
    "Tariq"
    The Kite Runner
  • Carwyn Jones
    Key Cast
    "Spooner"
    Stad
  • Kyle Tovey
    Key Cast
    "Crystal"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, comedy, romance, female, Working-class
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri LF Lenses: Blackwing 7
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Phoebe Barran

Phoebe Barran is an award-winning director, who has this year been selected for the BBC TalentWorks Directors’ Scheme. She won an Off West End Award for her revival of Tryst at the Chiswick Playhouse and her debut short film Snapshots was selected for 15 festivals and won 6 awards. Croydon Cowgirl is her fourth short film.

Theatre directing credits include; Are You As Nervous As I Am? A new British Musical at Greenwich Theatre. Tryst (Tabard Theatre), An Evening with Noel Fielding (UK and International tour), Four Days In Hong Kong, Suppressed Desires and Scenes from a Separation (Orange Tree), The Fitzrovia Radio Hour (BBC Radio Theatre, Edinburgh Festival and National Tour), The Tin Horizon (Theatre503) and Ours (Finborough).

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Director Statement

With loneliness and isolation at an all time high, we all need a warm shot of magic that smacks us round the face like a flying book might. ‘CROYDON COWGIRL' tells a fairytale love story through a gritty, funny, modern lens. We meet an eclectic mix of characters that feel familiar and yet magical, who are all a little broken but whose hearts hold a splinter of hope. The film has an unnerving energy, an irregular pulse that drives the story forward but keeps you guessing as to which of the characters’ is really in control, if any.
Set in the Barry Island, South Wales, the film will be suffused with colour and sparkle that will open the door to the allure of this faded seaside town, that might be missed at first glance. The filming honours the danger and humour so apparent in the script, with beautiful and playful shots that remind us to keep seeking out the unexpected.
‘And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in
the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. ~ Roald Dahl