Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a chronic neurological disorder that is burdened with stigma. Although now recognised as a disabling physical condition, for decades ignorance and medical negligence has caused patients to often suffer alone in the isolation of their homes, and in more severe cases bound to their beds.
Lockdown is not a new idea for people with chronic illness. In this 90 second film I talk about the parallel between lockdown and life with ME, and how acceptance and gratitude can help you find peace with this new way of living.
Something I hope people will take away from this film is an awareness of ME, and gratitude to be able to return back to a more full life once the pandemic is under control; a privilege not to be taken for granted.
Selected for BFI NETWORK x BAFTA CREW 2021
Lockdown Antholgy (2020)
Faded Neon Films presents
Melissa-Kelly Franklin | Charli Whatley | Mohsin Zaidi | Charlotte Lang | Toby Anthonisz
Drawing from multiple writers of varied backgrounds and perspectives, Lockdown Anthology was created to capture the temporary reality of worldwide quarantine. By using the very tool that is keeping us connected, video call software, this series gives audiences a poignant and relatable representation of this time.
SATURDAY ROAST (2020) 8 min 42 sec
A family chat with vibrancy and passion about vaginas and hearsay news, but struggle to find the words to express their emotional pain caused by the pandemic. Saturday Roast captures the energy of a close, open and loving family, with nuanced layers of differing generations of the female and the queer experience.
The first 5000 words of my debut novel The Middle secured me a space on Penguin Book's highly competitive scheme for under represented writers WRITE NOW and a place on the long-list for their year long mentorship programme. Following a one-to-one with an editor from Penguin I am now completing the first draft of this adult fiction novel that explores themes of sexuality, religion and mental health.
TIME (2020) 8 mins 30 sec
TIME follows a young mother struggling mentally and physically with grief. Through the support of her late sister’s girlfriend, she is able to overcome her panic attacks and sit with the uncomfortable feelings that loss creates, as they comfort one another. *trigger warning: the film deals with mental illness and suicide
After Smoke Clears
The Trilogy (2020)
This trilogy of music video's created for British metal band After Smoke Clears. The three songs from their album discuss themes of our natural world, over consumption and destruction. The three videos link together with a narrative thread that follows two metal fans returning home from a gig in the early hours of the morning, discussing the evils in the world and their own complicity in systems that are killing our planet and oppressing humanity, and how to escape that trap and build a better future.
Poem featured in Climate Crisis promo from Creative Agencies Hello Mozart Films and Glass Eye Inc
Poem featured in director Stefano Ottaviano's art film
SOCIAL DISTORTION (2019)
PERIOD (2018) 5 min
A short film that uses spoken word to explore the shame around menstruation and exposes the blood we are taught to hide. Period. reminds us of its life giving purpose and the empowerment to be found when celebrating our natural selves.
Writing featured in director's Stef + Ivo (Stefano Ottaviano and Ivo Sousa) art film
SALOME (2017)
Writing featured in director Jason Bradbury's fashion film
NIGHTWALKERS (2016)
DIRTY LAUNDRY (2016) 10 mins 30 sec
Ming-Hau and her employee S return to a Launderette of which she has been a silent partner for the past year. A few days later, and someone is dead.
WRITER + PRODUCER Charli Whatley
DIRECTOR Jason Bradbury