Requiem (2021 film)

Requiem is a 2021 British horror/drama short film directed by Em Gilberston, written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge, and produced by Michelle Brøndum. It stars Bella Ramsey and Safia Oakley-Green.

Synopsis
In 1605, religious conservatism rules parts of England and witch trials are a present danger for nonconformist women. Evelyn (Bella Ramsey) attempts to evade the wrath of her father Minister Gilbert (Simon Balcon) to be with her lover Mary (Safia Oakley-Green).

Cast

 * Bella Ramsey as Evelyn
 * Safia Oakley-Green as Mary
 * Simon Balcon as Minister Gilbert
 * Sean Buchanan as Minister Shorter
 * Jack Norris as Matthew Shorter
 * Jack Condon as Abe
 * Juliet Dante as Agnes
 * Jason Adam as Josiah

Production
The film was directed by Em Gilbertson and written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge. The film was produced by Michelle Brøndum. Filming took place at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in Bromsgrove. The film's director Em Gilberston told PinkNews of the importance "for all queer people that we don't forget our history. We have to take lessons from the past to tackle the systemic prejudice still around us and fight for our future".

Release
In March 2023 the short film was made available to view on the Alter YouTube channel. The film was shown at the Cleveland Film Festival on March 24, 2023, before it plays at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023.

Reception
Beatrice Fanucci in Ireland's GCN described Ramsey's "heartwrenching performance". Lyra Hale in Fangirlish discussed how the film was "beautifully brought to life" by the performances of Ramsey and Oakley-Green.