The Lady Vanished

A male client with an appalling story exposes the fears and inexperience of a young woman therapist. His story seeps out, impinging on people far beyond the consulting room with consequences tiresome, dire, tragic.

  • Brian Caswell
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 20, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Vesuvius International Monthly Film Festival
    Campania
    Italy
    October 13, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Tagore International Film Festival
    Bolpur
    India
    May 11, 2021
    Winner : Best Film Score
Director Biography - Brian Caswell

Brian Caswell (Writer, co-director)

Retired : Creator of magic tricks. Producer of promotional and instructional video for magicians. Sale of manufacturing and marketing rights for magical effects.

Films: MAGICIANS (2003) One hour documentary featuring four full-time professional magicians in conversation. Made for screening in local magic clubs.

WEEKAPAUG R.I. : Into the heart of a community (2004) 1 and 3/4 hour documentary for a conservation charity. A small summer community with one of the finest remaining unspoilt beaches on the Rhode Island coast.

BRITISH MEDICAL WISDOM (2007) 30 second comedy sketch for mobile phones. A British Stuffed shirt dispenses fatuous medical advice. (2007 Treo Film Festival finalist)

BOTTLED (2007) 10 minute fantasy/drama. A young man goes about his day. Mysteriously, he repeatedly encounters the same playing card.

SINGLE OCCUPANCY (2008) 17 mins. An ordinary middle-aged man dies alone at home. Simple everyday circumstances conspire to leave the remains where they lie for months.
Winner - Heart of England International Film Festival, Tamworth UK 2008
Winner - Short Cuts Film Festival, Aylesbury UK 2008
Screenings: Palm Springs Shortfest 2008, Toronto Commfest 2008
Distributed for eight years by Shorts International

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Director Statement

This film is based on real events. The details related by the protagonist in 'The Lady Vanished' took place exactly as he describes. I was sitting on that coach. When I later told people about the events of that interrupted journey, I could never seem to convey the inexorable sense of alarm that rose in me as the minutes ticked by.