'Until I Was 21' - Documentary project.

This documentary focuses on my Grandmother - Mary Simpson. Sixty years ago she was in her twenties and was in love with her fiance Adrian and also with repertory stage acting. She was happy. So, how did she deal with the sudden death of Adrian at such a poignant time in her life?

Mary Simpson's life when she was in her twenties was not ordinary, for the 1950's. She did not want to simply follow what was expected of her as a young female, she wanted to explore her passion. Her passion was acting on stage.

Along with her best friend Sheila, she developed a great love for drama in all its forms and after school she gained numerous places in repertory companies. Her passion in life had become a reality. Through this experience she met Adrian, who was in the RAF, and fell madly in love. For a short time, her life was idyllic.

What comes next, changed her outlook forever. Adrian was shot down in his plane and was subsequently killed, leaving Mary alone and distraught. Her life was no longer perfect, the heartbreak of Adrian’s abrupt passing affected every aspect of her life, including her acting career.

However, true love did find its way back to Mary, in the form of Gordon a number of years later which rekindled her true happiness.

The genre is an observational documentary and it is set in the present day with references to the 1950's. The themes explore love and loss through a linear narrative strucuture.

                       
                          Mary - The subject and main character (My Grandmother)
                          and Tasmin (me) - The filmmaker.