Two Bells Productions

Production Notes

Our first short film and quite a learning curve. Determined not to make it easy on ourselves the script was written to be performed in Japanese. After putting together the first draft Rika Naylor, Japanese journalist based in the UK, came to visit us in Cambridge (as we were then based) to transliterate every one of the lines for the actors to read - and recorded each into a dictaphone to help with their pronunciation.

Stage one complete. Next getting hold of a camera, locations and finding actors. It's worth bearing in mind that in 2002, and in Cambridge, there were still very few good digital cameras floating about, but after a little searching we managed to borrow one from the film society at the University. The locations required were also not easy for a zero budget ten minute short (to be shot in two days). We used the top of St Mary's church, a windmill based in Finchingfield, the Arts Picturehouse cinema in Cambridge, and the Bath House pub, plus three scenes in and around Tobias' home.

Then, in the last weekend in January (2003), our chosen shoot weekend, we had two feet of snowfall and the whole thing had to be postponed. Fortunately for us every one of the locations, cast, crew and bits of kit were available the following weekend. Luck we've not really had since.

Our Japanese lead was played by a Chinese girl, Wai Wai Tang, whilst great it was deeply unfortunate that there were no Japanese actresses to be found in the area! Ryan Laccohee (credited Ryan Ewen in this film) joined us for the first of three Two Bells productions, Fabian Brannegan made an appearance as did Peter Peralta - who's now turned to producing and is running his own London based production company.

The most enjoyable part of the experience was in post - realising everything we should have done better during the shoot, enjoying the elements that worked, and learning how to edit and grade from editor Sarah Townrow.

'Sweet Sayuri' played at over a dozen small festivals and a few screening nights over the next couple of years.

About

Set in Cambridge, England, it tells the story of three English men that are besotted with a seemingly sweet and innocent Japanese girl. In their quests to win her heart, they attempt to learn her language, take up her interests and forgive all of her unusual requests. The beautiful girl, however, is not as na•ve as she appears, stringing them all along and ultimately having a rather unpleasant surprise in store for each one of them.

The Script

Download Script (PDF)

The Film

Stills