Private Project

Nettles

Art reflects real life in Nettles. Brianna (Kipp Lane) and Sebastian (Thomas Loone) are art history students studying Titian's famous revenge painting - Diana and Actaeon. The film metaphorically plays with a lesser known interpretation of the painting they are studying and challenges negative viewpoints regarding the menstrual cycle. Nettles aims to inspire young women to feel more comfortable with their bodies.

This short film is my personal response to the #metoo movement and the strong female protagonist in the film challenges taboos surrounding them menstrual cycle. As the female director of the film I wanted to inspire people to rethink the negative way we talk about and view the menstrual cycle.

  • Natalie Ulman
    Director
    R&J, As You Like It, Nighean na Coille (She Came from the Woods), Wa-Ci-Ca-Dv (The Gift), Midsummer
  • David Cozzo
    Writer
    Rat Trap, Un-
  • Natalie Ulman
    Writer
    Wild Hearts, As You Like It
  • Sunny Moodie
    Writer
    City of God, The Romance of Lancelot
  • Sunny Moodie
    Producer
    Wild Hearts, LAIA, Nighean na Coille (She Came from the Woods), Wa-Ci-Ca-Dv (The Gift)
  • Kipp Lane
    Key Cast
    Rat Trap, As You Like It
  • Thomas Loone
    Key Cast
    Wuthering Heights, Fate, His Governess
  • Sophie Shad
    Key Cast
    Allied, Grange Hill, Kitty's Fortune
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 2, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35 (Scope)
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Catalyst Film Festival
    Duluth, Minnesota
    United States
    October 12, 2019
    World Premiere
    Best Female Filmmaker Award
Director Biography - Natalie Ulman

Natalie Ulman is a young female director. She graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Master of Arts in film studies. She is known for directing films with strong women at their center. She has directed films such as Nighean an Coille (She Came from the Woods) - a futuristic Gaelic short film which won best international short film award at Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. She recently premiered her short film Nettles and R&J at Catalyst Film Festival where she won the best Female Filmmaker Award.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The film which is based on the story of revenge and female empowerment in Titian's painting Diana and Actaeon, aims to break the taboos about what is expected of young women even in the 21st century, with a strong female student acting as the film's heroine.

As the director my goal is to inspire women to come away from the film feeling more comfortable with their bodies.