Private Project

On The Blunt End

Two sisters navigate a change in their relationship over the course of an evening climbing.

“On the Blunt End’ is an intimate short narrative about the strength of sibling ties, how we connect to places and landscapes and what lengths we might go to to protect someone that we love. Explored through the often misrepresented world of the British rock climbing community, the film challenges you to consider if you could let go of even the most precious thing when the time came to move on.

  • Joseph Walker
    Director
  • Joseph Walker
    Writer
  • Rahul Dewan
    Producer
  • Tosca Bell
    Key Cast
  • Lydia Fitzwilliams
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.55:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Trento Film Festival
    Trento
    Italy
    April 29, 2025
    International Premiere
    Mario Bello Award
Director Biography - Joseph Walker

Joseph Walker is a writer and director from Salisbury in the south of the UK.

He graduated with a BA in Film Production from the University of Gloucestershire in 2020 and considers himself incredibly lucky to have have won Best Undergraduate film at the Bolton international Film Festival in 2021 for his graduate film ‘The Walker’. He’s also been nominated twice at the Royal Television Society’s West of England student awards (Best scripted film, The Walker, The Last Bank Robbery of Clive and Maude) and was awarded best student film for ‘The Walker’ at the New Renaissance Film Festival in 2023.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

At it’s core ‘On the Blunt End’ is about the value of sibling relationships and how they change during the transition into adulthood. Stories about this stage of life are all around us but frequently overlooked and I wanted to make a film inspired by my own experiences with my younger sister as we’ve continued to grow as people and our relationship has changed.

Although the film’s themes are rooted in this connection it also invites the audience to consider attachment and the dangers that poses for relationships. Usually the most hurtful actions come from good intentions and the film challenges the audience to look at the dark side of our better angels.

This complex story is told through the routinely misrepresented community of British rock climbers. It’s one I’ve been a part of for over 10 years and I wanted to show climbing as I know it. It’s a grounding activity and a place of connection for normal people, not a space for overachieving athletes to be thrill seekers.

As Arty and Jade find their relationship tested, the film gives the audience a glimpse into unseen portions the British coastline, giving a fresh perspective on the vital importance of engaging with our natural world and the value it gives to us. During the immensely complex process of shooting an indie film on a cliff face this was something we found ourselves reckoning with on a daily basis.

The themes of sibling relationships changing into adulthood and the attachment that comes with them are real and complex and the film offers no easy answers. It instead invites audiences consider their own personal relationships in a unique way through an unusual setting. In turn, this sparks conversation around mature connections that evolve with age and time, which touch us all in different ways.

I hope you find that the film connects with you and thank you for your consideration.