Scenes of a Sexual Nature - Preview
Preview by Jack Foley
ED Blum’s feature debut Scenes Of a Sexual Nature is to close the 2006 Raindance Film Festival on Sunday, October 8 at the Cineworld Haymarket, SW1.
The screening will mark the world premiere of the film, which boasts a stella British cast including Ewan McGregor, comedienne Catherine Tate, Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo, Adrian Lester, Andrew Lincoln, Douglas Hodge, Gina McKee, Hugh Bonneville, Mark Strong and Polly Walker.
Scenes Of a Sexual Naturewas shot in less than one month for a budget of under £500,000 by former Raindance film course student, Ed Blum.
It is set on London’s Hampstead Heath one glorious August afternoon, where temperatures soar as seven couples explore love, sex and relationships.
Ewan McGregor and his Guys And Dolls co-star Douglas Hodge play a gay couple who enjoy a strong open relationship, but who are contemplating adopting a child.
Elsewhere, Tom Hardy plays a young opportunist who’s trying to get a woman (Sophie Okonedo) he’s met on the Heath into bed, an endeavour made tricky by the fact that she’s just split up with a long-term boyfriend.
Other narratives involve two 40-somethings on a blind date picnic, and a happily married couple who face a dilemma when the wife catches her husband starring at a teenage girl’s underwear. The film will be released nationwide in the UK on November 3.
Producer and director Ed Blum commenced his filmmaking career by earning a BAFTA nomination for directing his first comedy short, The Last Post.
He has subsequently directed episodes of the ITV drama series The Bill, as well as producing and directing numerous documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. Scenes Of a Sexual Nature is his feature debut.
Screenwriter Aschlin Ditta spent the past three years co-writing the award-winning comedy The Catherine Tate Show, while his other writing credits include the Channel 4 comedy drama No Angels.
Producer/director Ed Blum commented: “I’m so delighted that Scenes Of a Sexual Nature has been selected as closing night film of this year’s Raindance Festival which has always been a celebration of independent filmmaking, encouraging young filmmakers to live the dream.”
The 14th Raindance Film Festival will run from September 27 to October 8 with the aim of showcasing a selection of the most innovative independent shorts, features and documentaries at various cinemas in London’s West End.