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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
The Orange Tree
Simon Kent
average rating from 20 members 
       
comedy | 2002 | London | 6 min
Published 26 Nov 04
A man finds new friends with a potted plant.
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synopsis
A lonely man buys an orange tree and discovers people start talking to him.
short fact
For my first short film, I wanted to tell a simple and strong story. Initial inspiration came from on first-hand experience of buying a plant from Columbia Road and gaining attention on the way home. Sadly the orange tree itself did not survive its brief career as a movie star. By the end of the shoot I was having to sew the fruit back on to the tree with orange cotton.
crew
  • director Simon Kent
  • writer Simon Kent
  • producer Simon Kent
  • director of photography Stephen Watson
  • sound Martin Rex
  • music Jonathan Russo
cast
  • Man Justin Edwards
  • Woman Louisa Gummer
  • Woman With Plant Cheryl Anderson
  • Market Stall Holder David Dobson
festivals, awards and screenings include:
  • Leicester Film Festival 2003 - nominated Best Short Film
  • TAPS 2003 - nominated Best Short Film
  • Shooting People Summer Shoot Out 2004
  • Shooting People Shoot Out Tour 2004
  • ShallowShorts100 100 Club, London 2004 - screening
  • The Others Short Film Night, Stoke Newington 2004 - screening
  • © 2002 Simon Kent

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    comment by Liam  Wilkinson
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    posted Feb 22, 2006

    This reminded me of a French film. The only thing I would have changed was the music. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but jazz would have been better. Maybe Django.

    comment by Simon  Wates
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    posted Nov 26, 2005

    I agree - a simple and strong story and very tidy. People who do not normally lie might do so to protect themselves from shame when faced with a potential new friendship. Clever supermarket and launderette scenes, the "you have no messages" also - these I found deeply intimate regarding the man's loneliness. Neat and meaningful ending with the dropping orange. Loved it - very sweet, very human and the soundtrack a perfect compliment without being obtrusive. Do more on people's quirks - you communicate them wonderfully and simply!

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    useful links
    • www.simonkent.co.uk
    • www.shootingpeople.org
    Shooting People selection
    This film was selected by Shooting People from their Shoot Out Festival.
    more shorts with similar themes

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    • Outsiders
    Shooting People Film Index

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