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One Shilling

One Shilling. A contemporary dance film where four strangers from different backgrounds escape everyday life for one night, drinking and dancing in one of London’s underground bars during the Blitz.

  • Monica Nicolaides
    Director
  • Judy Ibelhauptaite
    Producer
  • Cameron Everitt
    Key Cast
  • Susana Campesino
    Key Cast
  • Mukeni Nel
    Key Cast
  • Melanie Whitehead Smith
    Key Cast
  • Olivia Cottenden
    1st AD
  • João Luís Ribeiro
    Cinematographer
  • Faisal Khan
    1st AC
  • Thomas Caminada
    Gaffer
  • Alessandra Corazzini
    Production Designer
  • Ben Lloyd-Evans
    Composer
  • Miguel Pinto
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Drama, music, british, contemporary, dance, movement, short film, dance film
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 29 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Monica Nicolaides

Monica Nicolaides is a choreographer and movement director working in dance, theatre, opera and film.

Her choreographic portfolio includes commissions for British Medical Association, Peregrina EnChantica, University of Cumbria, Third Row Dance Company, Dance Digital, Hallidonto, and digital works for Homs Arthaus, Something Motel and Isla Rose amongst others. She was movement director for ‘The Poison Belt’ (Jermyn Street Theatre), ‘Dolly’ (Park Theatre), 'The Tempest' (Rose Playhouse), ‘fester’ (Cockpit Theatre), Guildhall Spring Opera Scenes and Ryedale Festival Opera’s 'La Finta Giardiniera', 'Cosi Fan Tutte' and 'Dido and Aeneas’.

She was assistant choreographer for ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Changeling Theatre), choreographer for Scottish Opera’s ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’, and director for ‘Acis and Galatea’ at Ryedale Festival Opera.

A featured choreographer for One Dance UK, in Zealous, and Hiive’s ‘Ones-to-watch’, she has received support from IdeasTap Innovators Fund, Candoco Dance, bbodance, The Blue Elephant Theatre and Arts Council England. With her work performed at Edinburgh Fringe, The Place, OFFBeat Festival, The Blue Elephant Theatre, Edinburgh Zoo and featured on BBC Persia.

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Director Statement

'One Shilling' is a short dance film, inspired by true encounters of people in WWII; where 4 strangers from different backgrounds came together to enjoy a night out, in one of the underground places in London during the Blitz. At a time of constant danger, where under-represented communities and being different was not welcomed by society. One shilling gave access to underground safe havens, where strangers escaped everyday life, social conformity and daily bombings; and became friends.

‘One Shilling’ celebrates the formation of community and unity, by embracing ones individuality. When the community does not look at class, race or sexuality. Everyone comes together to celebrate being alive; to forget the danger and casualties surrounding them in their everyday lives. At this bar, we see the temporary deconstruction of social class, race and sexuality for one night only. It is a story of the places where people from all walks of life find refuge, and a community that welcomes their differences even for a moment in time.