Private Project

Mingmong

Judy and Annalise are 16 and best friends. But on a night out autograph hunting they realise that falling in love can sometimes tear friendships apart.

Judy and Annalise are lifelong friends. They love vampire movies, milkshakes and autograph hunting. But at 16 Annalise is developing feelings that she hardly understands. Does she really love autograph hunting? Does she really love the celebrities whose pictures adorn Judy’s bedroom wall? Or does Annalise just love being with Judy? During one night hunting star signatures in London, Annalise tries to make her affections known. As it dawns on Judy that her childhood friend has feelings for her she can never return, the two realise that with the onset of adulthood their friendship as they knew it is over.

  • Richard Turley
    Director
    Darklight (2012), Strings (2014)
  • David Pusey
    Writer
    Darklight (2012) Co-writer
  • Richard Turley
    Producer
    Darklight (2012)
  • Saffron Coomber
    Key Cast
  • Jessica Revell
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 14, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    3,500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • BFI Flare
    London, UK
    March 29, 2015
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Richard Turley

A BAFTA-nominated multi-genre Director, Richard has more than a decade of experience in broadcast television and more recently, film. His work to date has largely been factual or drama-documentary though increasingly he is turning his focus to narrative drama.

For Richard story is key, and he has a passion for bringing great tales to screen whether through real life testimony or dramatic interpretation. ‘Strings’ is his first solo writing project.

In 2012 Richard produced his debut independent short film ‘Darklight’ with backing from Film London. Directed and co-written by Richard the resulting film shines with imagination and charm that look set to become his hallmark as a Director. Described as ‘a constantly surprising tale... that leads you eager for a sequel’ ‘Darklight’ went on to be long-listed for a BAFTA in 2013.

Richard lives in London, UK and can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Richard.Turley@gmail.com
Phone: +44(0)7967481722
Web: www.richardturley.com
Twitter: @richturley

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

'Mingmong’ is a coming of age story that explores how all friendships change through the inevitable passage of time but particularly with the introduction of emotion, desire and the painful fear of rejection.

The film explores how the positive elements of love and affection when felt through the prism of a new found sexuality can drive a wedge between friends and make painful the relationships we thought were safe. Thematically the story is situated in that tantalising moment when the treasures of adulthood and the comforts of childhood are both within reach. Judy is still a child, she remains largely untroubled by an awakening of adult sexual or emotional feeling. And yet it is her best friend Annalise, whose love for her is causing her pain, who brings Judy abruptly face to face with the realities of a grown up relationship.

"INTERESTING FACTS"

• A ‘Mingmong’ is a slang word used to describe the geeky super-fans of TV shows. The sorts of people who hang around stage doors and obsess over every detail of their favourite actors’ lives.

• ‘Mingmong’ was filmed over two consecutive evenings in London’s West End – the heart of the theatre district.

• Because London’s theatres are constantly busy we couldn’t film outside a real stage door – so we made our own! The location we filmed at was a small alleyway between some shops in Covent Garden. The door itself is actually a fire escape for a shop on The Strand.

• The hair in Celine’s book is real – some of it is Richard’s (Director) the rest came from helpful hairdressers. We had some strange looks asking for it though!

• Filming the scenes around Soho proved interesting – especially for Saffron, who was chatted up mid-take. The chap in question seemed quite surprised when the Director intervened to which he asked: “…are you cock blocking me man?”