How producer's grief influenced her short film

Olivia Maiden, a filmmaker from Ealing, London, has created a short film that explores the themes of childhood grief and Jewish identity. Her motivation for making the film comes from her own experiences of loss. Olivia lost her brother Sam, who was stillborn in 2005, and her sister Florence, who died from a rare disease in 2008. These events had a profound impact on her, and she has since focused on childhood grief in her work. Her latest film, 'To Fly or Float,' is set in Birmingham during the late 1970s, a period known as the Winter of Discontent. The story centers on Eva, a 10-year-old girl, and her reserved uncle David, played by Ben Caplan, as they try to cope with a shared loss. Olivia says she has always been interested in how children process grief, especially since she experienced it herself at a young age. She did not fully understand her siblings' deaths until she was about 14, and making films became a way for her to deal with her feelings.

The film is directed by Charlotte Peters and features scenes set in Birmingham in 1979, a time marked by strikes, power cuts, and economic difficulties. Olivia wanted to film in Birmingham to capture the city's unique atmosphere, but due to budget and logistical challenges, most of the filming took place in Kent and London. Olivia, who has a Jewish grandmother, wanted to highlight a Jewish community outside of London, which is rarely seen in films. She was inspired by Birmingham's canals and felt that the city would add depth to the film's darker moments. Olivia believes that the setting of a film is crucial and treats it almost like a character itself.

The film is currently in post-production and received a £15,000 grant from the Pears Short Film Fund, run by UK Jewish Film. The organization provided not only funding but also support during the filming process, including bringing food to the set. Olivia was thrilled to receive the grant and appreciated the sense of community among the team. She hopes that her film will help people understand childhood grief and Jewish identity, and she wants to continue telling stories about Birmingham and the Black Country. Olivia encourages others to share their own experiences and believes that storytelling can be a powerful way to process difficult emotions.