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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
The Silent Treatment
Peter Lydon
average rating from 30 members 
       
comedy | 2003 | London | 10 min
Published 09 Aug 05
One talks the other doesn’t.
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very strong language
synopsis
Why is Sara not talking to Bill?
Why doesn’t Bill stop talking to Sara?
What could have happened at the dinner party the night before?
Is Lucy at the bottom of it?
Maybe it’s something to do with Eddie?
Surely Beth’s in the clear.
Oh, and did someone hit Bill? It looks like somebody hit him.Whatever happened, Sara’s not telling.
short fact
The Silent treatment was part of the 'Ways To Get Even' series of films recently broadcast by the BBC.

The film is a companion piece to 'Dumping Elaine'. Both were funded by the BBC and form part of the corporations remit to encourage, develop and support filmmakers.

Both films explore the dynamics, trials and tribulations of the love lives of contemporary metropolitan folk. The Silent treatment is a comedic take on an aspect of the way couples communicate.

In this case the power of silence and the inherent guilt of the male of the species.

Although 'The Silent Treatment' is a two-person story, that of Bill and Sarah, the film introduces two non-appearing but influential 'friends;- Lucy and Eddie. They remind us that relationships are not exclusive and for Bill and Sarah, the less exclusive, the better.

My inspiration for this film was the screwball American comedies of the fifties and sixties.
crew
  • director Peter Lydon
  • writer Peter Lydon
  • producer Steve Ackhurst and Will Quartey-Papafio
  • editor Joakim Pietras
  • director of photography Nic Sadler
  • sound Howie Nicol
  • assistant director Sam Dawking
  • focus puller Ross McKennan
  • clapper loader Aadel Nodeh-Farahani
  • Grip Mark Jones
  • Gaffer John Colley & Dan Low
  • electricians Ben Kerr & James Cullen
  • production manager Lisa Lake
  • production co-ordinator Nina Bacchus
  • production assistant Jason Bird
  • location manager Sam McCauley
  • Runners Seb Cardinal, Tom Green, Martin Hill & Pete Carroll
  • boom operator Mike Donald
  • costume designer Jo Thompson
  • production designer Jeremy Pegg
  • stylist Kay McGlone
  • prop master Clive Pegg
  • art dept assistants John Webb, Steve Gallagher
  • hair & make-up Natalie Way
  • script supervisor Alice Bell
  • stills photographer Christina Panagi
  • casting Marilyn Johnson
  • cast
    • Bill Marc Warren
    • Sarah Anna Wilson-Jones
    festivals, awards and screenings include:
  • London Intl. Film Festival 2003
  • Aspen ShortsFest 2004
  • Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, London 2004
  • LA Film Festival 2004
  • Manhattan Short Film Festival 2004
  • 12th Kodak Short Film Showcase UK 2004- Finalist
  • Paramount Comedy Shorts Showcase UK 2004- Finalist
  • format
    35mm/Super 35
    © 2003 Courtesy of H30 Films & Dazzle Short Film Label

    comments

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    comment by Nick  Barrett
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    posted Jan 2, 2008

    Greatc comedic short that rests on the very talented shoulders of Marc Warren, his delivery and timing are superb. It's an old comedic idea, that of the prattling character and the silent straight man (or in this case woman), but this is beautifully played. I kinda guessed what would happen half way through but that didn't stop me enjoying Warren's character's emotional ping pong.

    comment by Corinne  Myers
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    posted Apr 19, 2007

    What a clever take on a classic premise. As an American, I appreciate this homage to the genre. Woody Allen couldn't have done it any better. A very amusing script, but special kudos to Marc Warren for his comic pathos and perfect timing.

    comment by Luke  Flegg
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    posted Jan 17, 2007

    Possibly perfectly shot.. greatly acted. Every bloke can identify with that sense of the woman knowing something the bloke doesn't and furstratingly concealing what they know and feel.. I'm still not sure what this short actually did to me, I don't think it's really changed anything unfortunately, but it was definately great to watch, and is a bit like looking in a mirror. Probably actually makes me think, the reason you always feel guilty and like shes righteously above you, is cause of all the things you're secretly guilty of and hope she doesn't know..

    comment by Abhik  Chatterjee
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    posted Oct 6, 2006

    Dialogue can sometimes gobble up many blank spaces!
    Excellent !
    You seem to have a thing for reflections though...
    Nice cinematography !

    comment by Linda  Nyakundi
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    posted Aug 25, 2006

    brilliant story. great performances. marc warren has given yet another amazing performance.

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    other films by this director
    Dumping Elaine
    comedy
    useful links
    • www.h3ofilms.com
    • www.dazzlefilms.co.uk
    • Listing on www.britfilms.com
    • www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms
    production company
    H3O Films

    funding
    BBC Films

    world sales & distribution by
    Dazzle Short Film Label

    more shorts with similar themes

    This film is included in the film catalogue under the following themes:

    • Crimes & Misdemeanours
    • Love/Hate
    Dazzle Short Film Label Index

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