IMMATERIAL

'IMMATERIAL'

A short movie written and directed by Alexandra Healy and produced by Abbie Hills.

By Emmanuel Itier.

It’s apparent, inspired Writer/Director Alexandra Healy and Producer Abbie Hills had a compassionate approach when filming this young woman, Naomi (played by the intense Holly Higbee), living with PTSD and substance problems.

This very moving and visceral short was selected for the Cannes Short Film Corner and it was shown on May 20th at 5:30pm CET. Alongside her creative work, Abbie is the founder of Dazey Talent (also known as The Dazey Hills Company), a disability-led, diversity-focused talent agency and production company formed in 2019.

Abbie, beyond having such a strong producing vision is also a splendid soul and a humanist that we can only salute and promote. She, and Alexandra, are awakening an aching for connection and a cry for help with 'Immaterial'. Reminding us, it’s OK to reach out and to ask for help; it’s OK to fail and to be reborn. Here is a little conversation with producer Abbie Hills, on the eve of her trip to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival:

Q: What was the inspiration for this movie?

Abbie: It all started with a zoom call with Writer/Director Alexandra Healy who is a close friend of mine. We had never worked together in a creative way before. But it’s funny how we would finish each other's sentences. We felt really aligned, and I told her I had a wonderful actress who should be the lead for this. She immediately replied, “Holly Higbee was perfect”. And it came alive! We did some crowdfunding, and we shot this film in two days in a flat in London.

Q: What do you bring to the table as a producer?

Abbie: Because of the multi experience in the industry, I have a good grasp about how to make it work. I know a little bit of everything, but even so there is always more to learn. The thing I don’t really know about is the technical stuff. I offered creative support, connecting with the crew. Also working on the festival strategy, like going to Cannes right now. With Alex, this was a great partnership.

Q: Who inspired the team’s creative choices?

Abbie: A lot of that was Alex’s vision. She has such a strong vision of what she wants. She is a working-class woman, and she wanted this to come out authentically from her experience. She also wanted this dreamy pop pink vibe to show the innocence of being a young woman in contrast with the pain, the addiction, the isolation and the relationships. When those aesthetics come together it can be quite unsettling.

Q: What do you look for in a project to be part of it?

Abbie: When you read a script, you know if it grasps you and it resonates. I love female stories and stories about challenges. I appreciate sharing these darker moments of life. These subjects’ matter to me.

Q: What is the takeaway with his film, what do you hope people get from watching it?

Abbie: It’s a hard watch. I hope people would come out of it with a level of empathy and understanding of what young women go through when they are isolated and into addiction. Our protagonist is in her twenties and it’s like going into your second puberty. It’s hard at that age to figure things out and find out where you fit. I hope people try to see the hope in Naomi’s journey afterwards. Is she getting sober finally? What’s her life going to be?

Q: What are the expectations with the Cannes film festival?

Abbie: This will be my fifth time going there. But it’s a big year for me. I remember the first time was just to hang out and watch movies. Last year I was on a panel. This year we are screening ‘Immaterial’ in the market. So, I’m really excited and I hope lots of people come to watch our film. It’s a really special moment for Alex and I. I hope we get some buzz and it shows what we can do.