MYRTLE is an adaptation of a play that Megan Barker and I worked on. I broached the idea of developing it into a film as I loved the premise and thought it had real dramatic potential. We felt it important to keep the audience in the dark initially, as to where we are and why Myrtle is preparing this meal, in order for the final moments to (hopefully) have a stronger impact. It was essential for the kitchen to be as much of a character in the film, cold and intimidating as this adds to Myrtle’s disorientation. There is a back story weaved in, the memory of a murder, the intention being to write a feature film, where we will revisit the clues in MYRTLE and reveal what actually took place.

To me, Myrtle is a character that asks for love and understanding, possibly in spite of herself and I like people like that, my hope with this film is that the audience will have compassion for her in the end. The main themes being, the brutalising effect of poverty, the deprivation of choice and a mother’s unconditional love.