James Sorton

Not The House

"Kay's compulsive property viewing becomes a problem when a supernatural estate agent forces her to start a new life in an empty house" A short film written in response to Mann-Booker Prize winner Marieke Lucas Rijneveld's original short story of the same title. Both pieces commissioned by writing platform Alexander alxr.com/ The process behind this film was an unusual, but very stimulating one. I was asked to make a film to exist as a companion piece for Marieke's new story, but rather than simply adapting it for screen I was invited to interpret & reimagine it in whatever way I wished. This freedom allowed for a really interesting creative process and has lead to an outcome where we have two brand new, wholly distinct stories that are nonetheless unmistakably close cousins- sharing a huge amount of creative and thematic DNA. After you watch the film I encourage you to read Marieke's story- it's great, and you might enjoy exploring the crossover of the two things.

I Love You, I Hate You

A narrative centered around a young writer called Sage, her partner Omar, and her longtime friend Annie, as Sage battles with persistent writer’s block that ends up impacting her relationship and pulling at the thread of her well-buried emotional baggage.

Goldfish

A hopeful and moving story of love and loss. Set against the gritty backdrop of south London, one brave little girl goes on a journey of discovery in search of courage, resolve, and her big brother’s heart. GOLDFISH explores themes of mental health in young men, violence, and cultural stereotypes.

The Muse

Legend has it that if a human man falls in love with a mermaid she will grow legs; legs that will, if she so desires, carry her far, far away from the very man she cast her watery spell upon... But what becomes of the human man, when her spell remains but she is gone? Edward Dunstan (Ben Whishaw) is a photographer and filmmaker obsessed by his muse (Kristen McMenamy). Blinded by his all-consuming passion and perfectionism, he was unable to see her as she was and so, she has left him. All that remains are his photographs and film of her that he has running on a loop. Only now does he understand what she endured. There is nothing left for him but to become both artist and muse…