A New Vision for Filmmaking Accessibility
Pippa Bennett-Warner, known for her role in Gangs of London, has expressed a fervent hope that her first film as a director, 22+1, becomes widely available, ideally on a streaming platform like Netflix. She shared these thoughts during the film’s recent screening at the London Film Festival.
Such aspirations are often voiced by filmmakers, yet Bennett-Warner, along with her collaborator Pippa Vosper, harbors a uniquely profound ambition for their project.
Inspiration Behind 22+1
The narrative of 22+1, a short film co-written by Bennett-Warner and Vosper with screenwriter Kefi Chadwick, springs from Vosper’s personal tragedy and subsequent research. Vosper, an established writer and fashion editor, also produced the film, which was inspired by her book Beyond Grief: Navigating the Journey of Pregnancy and Baby Loss. This work followed the loss of her son Axel, who died after being born at 20 weeks in 2017.
Vosper’s extensive research involved interviews with 400 women, revealing alarming consistencies in the experiences of women of color with pregnancy loss, which seemed beyond coincidental.
Statistics highlight a grim reality in the UK and the U.S., where Black women face significantly higher risks during childbirth and pregnancy, a central theme explored in 22+1 through the character Ruby, portrayed by Bennett-Warner herself. The film delves into Ruby’s personal grief and systemic racism within healthcare.
Understanding the sensitivity and scope of the topic, Vosper felt it essential to collaborate with someone who could convey the narrative authentically, leading her to Bennett-Warner.
From Acting to Directing
Bennett-Warner, initially approached by Vosper to direct, has embraced filmmaking passionately, crediting this project as a transformative experience in her career.
The production of 22+1 was supported by a talented team including Dan Smith of Bastille, who composed an original song and score, editor Francine Leach, and Oliver Tarney, an acclaimed sound designer. Bennett-Warner describes the creative process as exceptionally rewarding.
With funding raised over four years, notable co-producers include EON Productions by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, alongside Vosper’s Pip Pip Productions and her company 3A Productions which holds all rights to the film. Despite the project’s success, Vosper was taken aback by occasional misogyny encountered during production.
Impact and Future Plans
Already making significant impacts, 22+1 was shown to top UK health officials and might soon be used as a training resource within the National Health Service (NHS). Discussions are also underway about a potential screening in the UK Parliament, with interest from Health Secretary Wes Streeting and collaboration talks with Baroness Amos, who is investigating maternity service disparities.
Looking forward, Vosper and Bennett-Warner aim to bring the story to a broader audience, emphasizing similar healthcare challenges worldwide. Their ultimate goal is to facilitate greater understanding and dialogue about these critical issues through wider distribution, either on television or streaming platforms.
The London Film Festival, where 22+1 was featured, concludes tomorrow, October 19.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
