Experiencing Interruptions?

What Are You So Afraid Of?

When acting teacher and wannabe-therapist Laura sends her difficult group of young students on an expedition, their private thoughts are laid bare, their trust utterly abused.

A collaborative effort between the cast and director with majority of cast and crew under 23 years old at time of filming.

  • Simon Nader
    Director
    Bittersweet, Summer Camp, Richard II
  • Simon Nader
    Writer
  • The Cast
    Writer
  • Simon Nader
    Producer
  • Stephen Biggs
    Producer
  • Pamela Flanagan
    Key Cast
    "Laura"
  • Kyan Andrews
    Key Cast
    "Stephen"
  • Sophie Barnwell
    Key Cast
    "Lydia"
  • Taila Bereznyckj
    Key Cast
    "Kat"
  • Esra Beyaz
    Key Cast
    "Jenny"
  • Adam Byford
    Key Cast
    "Bradley"
  • Ryan Chapman
    Key Cast
    "David"
  • Wisdom Charis
    Key Cast
    "Hailey"
  • Kiera Cooper
    Key Cast
    "Gemma"
  • Carmen Della Vittoria
    Key Cast
    "Josephine"
  • Fin Eze
    Key Cast
    "Pierre"
  • Thando Gumede
    Key Cast
    "Chad"
  • Emily Harrison
    Key Cast
    "Charlie"
  • Chloe Hoadley
    Key Cast
    "Danni"
  • Gabriel Howlett
    Key Cast
    "Billy"
  • Marley Hunt
    Key Cast
    "Michelle"
  • Monique Loader
    Key Cast
    "Elizabeth"
  • Eve Magner
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Zindzi Munyanyi
    Key Cast
    "Danielle"
  • Aaron Richards
    Key Cast
    "Toby"
  • Natalia Wandtke
    Key Cast
    "Francesca"
  • Fahren Woodcock
    Key Cast
    "Finn"
  • Girl in Corridor
    Key Cast
    "Lauren O'Grady"
  • Georgie Smith
    Key Cast
    "Natalie (Voice)"
  • Chrissie Davies
    Key Cast
    "Newsreader One (Voice)"
  • Simon Nader
    Key Cast
    "Newsreader Two (Voice)"
  • Simon Nader
    Cinematography
  • Byron Dean
    Cinematography
  • Arthur Speak
    Cinematography
  • Sam Gamble
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller, Teen, Suspense
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 22 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 2, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Mirrorless 35mm and SLR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Simon Nader

Simon Nader is British actor, writer and director best known for his screen acting work as Tsar Nicholas II in award-winning miniseries 'Houdini' and and as Mark Wilson in the BBC's 'Silent Witness.' He has also been an acting teacher for over a decade, primarily in Peterborough and Cambridge at The Young Actors Company, with a heavy emphasis in screen acting tuition. He currently lives in Dublin, Ireland.

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Director Statement

This film was made to save my Young Actors Company branch in deprived Peterborough, England. We were told that we had no money for any productions - period, and would probably have to close. So I created a film concept we could shoot using my own gear, largely in our hired space in the darkness, enlisted help from former students for other aspects, and we used our usual class time to devise, rehearse and hone the character studies. Thankfully, we were able to survive another couple of years due to the enthusiasm of the students, but sadly have now closed permanently due to Covid-19.

'What Are You So Afraid Of' was shot in just six half-days with a monumental effort from the actors, and the support of their families. My concept was to respond to well-publicised abuses of trust in the industry and to comment on the way many teachers, directors and others in a position of power manipulate people from the guise of it being 'for them' when in fact, their own self-interests and obsessions can drive their behaviour to expose vulnerabilities in those that trust them which should be professionally monitored, and never coerced.

Ideally we would have had a budget for lighting, for matching gear and proper sound recording, but we strove to make a film within our resources where the story would compel, the tension would increase gradually to an inexorable crescendo and leave viewers to ponder the messages within.