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Zone Unknown

Inspired by their passion for cycling after taking up the sport to help their mental health during the lockdown, Co-directors Zack Langsdon and Alessi Heitman-Rice present Zone Unknown. Zone Unknown is a short abstract film that aims to open up people’s perception of cycling from an elitist endurance sport to instead a form of mental therapy.

We hear intimate anecdotes from real people on how getting on a bike has been hugely beneficial and therapeutic in their lives, how it has led them back from dark places, how it can be a form of meditation and escapism within the hectic lives they lead.

Cycling is simply a relationship between the rider and the bike, on the open road or static, it can transport you to a better mental state and it’s out there for everyone.

  • Alessi Heitman-Rice
    Director
  • Zack Langsdon
    Director
  • Charles Heales
    Director of Photography
    The Phoenix of Gloucester
  • Abi Osu
    Key Cast
    "Male Rider 1"
  • Kwan Tang
    Key Cast
    "Male Rider 2"
  • Eve Hoffman
    Key Cast
    "Female Rider"
  • Agathe Charbon
    Key Cast
    "Female Narrator 1"
  • Roxy Woods
    Key Cast
    "Female Narrator 2"
  • Chris Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Male Narrator 1"
  • Jamie Cobb
    Key Cast
    "Male Narrator 2"
  • KASHUKS
    Music
  • Liam O'Neill
    Sound Designer
  • Tharan Tandle
    Colourist
  • Stuart Duffy
    Studio Manager
  • Benji Brown
    Studio Technician
  • James Lee-Warner
    Camera Assistant
  • Ceclie Boesch
    Associate Producer
  • Bex Evans
    BTS Photographer
  • Harry Swaine
    Runner
  • Rob Flowers
    Clothing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Sport, cycling, mental health, short, documentary
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 16, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Alessi Heitman-Rice, Zack Langsdon

Alessi & Zack are a creative duo from France and Australia. Their paths first met on the initial day of uni and they've been joined at the hip ever since, constantly creating along the way.

Alessi directs top tier social and online content for brands such as Adobe, Amazon Prime & Caterpillar. Alongside this, he loves to experiment with mixed media and is one of the UK’s best wigglegrammers and timelapsers.

Zack is a London-based Director whose work spans TV commercials, social ads and branded documentaries. He’s passionate about featuring real people in his films, which stems from his background in photography.

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Director Statement

Zone Unknown is a short abstract film that aims to open up people’s perception of cycling from an elitist endurance sport to instead a form of mental therapy.

We hear intimate anecdotes from real people on how getting on a bike has been hugely beneficial and therapeutic in their lives, how it has led them back from dark places, how it can be a form of meditation and escapism within the hectic lives they lead.

Cycling is simply a relationship between the rider and the bike, on the open road or static, it can transport you to a better mental state and it’s out there for everyone.