Cast
Rosy McEwen (Jean)
Kerrie Hayes (Viv)
Lucy Halliday (Lois)

England, 1988 – Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians, forcing Jean, a gym teacher, to live a double life. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new girl at school catalyses a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core.

“It was always the plan to make a portrait piece about one woman grappling with her identity as opposed to a big political drama about the law itself. As a storyteller I want to hold a microscope up to the small things that keep Jean awake at night, in an attempt to reframe the discussion on bigger issues such as homophobia, patriarchy and class that plagued the UK in the 80’s as they do now. We always intended to shoot Blue Jean on 16mm and with a slightly heightened aesthetic that is less usual in British cinema. We wanted to create a visual language inspired by classics from the time rather than an eighties throwback. Inspired by filmmakers such as Kelly Reichardt and Chantal Akerman, I seek to present a protagonist without glamorisation or misrepresentation. Jean is no hero and that’s precisely why I’ve loved digging into her story these past four years.”

Georgia Oakley is a screenwriter and director with a particular fondness for convention-defying, female-led narratives. Her shorts have screened at dozens of international festivals, including SXSW, Tribeca, New York Film Festival and Galway Film Fleadh. She has participated in various talent development schemes, such as the 2018 edition of Berlinale Talents. Blue Jean is her feature directorial debut.

Preview

31 August 14:00 – Sala Perla – Press, Industry
03 September 16:45 – Sala Perla – Public, all accreditations (Followed by Q&A)
10 September 22:00 – Sala Corinto – Public, all accreditations