fbpx Biennale Cinema 2025 | The Brightness
La Biennale di Venezia

Your are here

Cinema

The Brightness

Director:
Freya Silas Finch
Production:
Run Charlie Films (Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth)
Running Time:
13’
Language:
English
Country:
New Zealand
Year:
2025
Main Cast:
Emile Boyle, Jodie Rimmer, Gideon T. Smith, Angus Stevens
Screenplay:
Freya Silas Finch
Cinematographer:
Tammy Williams
Editor:
Freya Silas Finch
Production Designer:
Glenn Blomfield
Costume Designer:
Helen Young-Loveridge
Music:
Cello Forrester
Sound:
Native Audio

Program Cinema 2025 (Public)

Sala Giardino More
Astra 1 More

Program Cinema 2025 (Pass holders)

Sala Giardino More
Sala Giardino More
Astra 1 More

Synopsis

A group of teenagers reunite to spend time with the mother of their friend, one year after his passing. The late arrival of Jed sets the sacred evening awry, as his friends try to cope with his unpredictable persona. When Jed takes things too far, the fragile peace is shattered, forcing everyone to confront resentment, guilt and unresolved grief.

Director’s Statement

The Brightness is inspired by lived experiences of those close to me. I wanted to explore how grief and trauma both unite and divide people, and how difficult emotions manifest within relationships.
Set in contemporary Aotearoa-New Zealand, the film reflects on masculinity, and how dominant western culture often leaves young men without tools to express themselves.
I relate to Jed as he seeks connection yet places himself as an outsider — sabotaging the love he craves. Yet Jed ultimately creates space for others to feel the truth of their pain: he is both the chaos and the medicine.
The film speaks to the grief of losing someone to suicide — a painful reality in Aotearoa, where youth suicide rates are high. I hope The Brightness resonates with those who have experienced loss and offers hope to anyone struggling.

Production/distribution

PRODUCTION:
Run Charlie Films - Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth
Suite 1202, Level 12, 300 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
1010 Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: +64 21645582 / +64 21983223
E-mail: eldon@runcharliefilms.com
Web: http://www.runcharliefilms.com
Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/runcharliefilms - Facebook, http://www.instagram.com/runcharliefilms - Instagram, http://x.com/runcharliefilms - X (Twitter)


Share this page on

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on LinkedINSend via WhatsApp
Biennale Cinema
Biennale Cinema