Experiencing Interruptions?

Gossip/Clecs

Gossip/Clecs
With Welsh narration and English subtitles, this animated story tells of two older women being gossiped about on a train by a fascinated ticket collector. The ‘Gossip’ spreads the word that the two are on a “train-powered honey moon” despite being old enough to be her nan and is quite impressed to accidentally witness them “deep-tongue kissing.” Gossip/Clecs is based on a poem from Jane Campbell’s prize winning debut collection.

  • Harri Shanahan
    Director
    Rebel Dykes (2021 Dir: Harri Shanahan and Sian A Williams
  • Jane Campbell
    Writer
  • Jane Campbell
    Producer
  • Mali Haf
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Clecs
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Other
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English, Welsh
  • Shooting Format:
    Pal video
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Harri Shanahan

Harri Shanahan is a filmmaker, artist and animator based in Manchester UK. Harri co-directed and created animation for the feature documentary, Rebel Dykes (Bohemia Media/BFI 2021). Harri learned animation independently through experimentation as part of a wider art practice that encompasses video, painting and performance, before gaining an MA in animation in 2019. Harri produces and directs music videos and short artist films and was also a member of alternative band and Feminist art collective ILL, whose debut album was released in 2019.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I loved the story of Jane’s poem and its point of view. Older women and especially the lives of older lesbians/queer women are often invisible in culture. Even celebrated actors can struggle to find roles in drama after a certain age. Here that idea is turned on its head, and the couple in the story become objects of wonder. We’ve seen a lot of sad and tragic stories of love affairs between women, and it was a pleasure to bring some queer joy to the screen, and tell a story of enduring love.
Writer’s Statement
I wrote this poem for a book about train journeys in Wales. I wanted to show older dykes blazing new trails. This year I have made this and another micro film, and next year hope to make a feature length poetry film called "Dykeland and Other Secret Islands."
Producer's statement
I first met Harri Shanahan working on the Rebel Dykes documentary in which I was featured. Harri was the animator and one of the dynamic director duo with Sian A Williams. I was amazed that they had created a book of drawings of myself from all different angles and was immediately inspired to work with them on my poetry films. What a privilege it has been.