Critical popcorn

You watch the wonderful comedy short Leading Lady Parts right here, now!

The short, produced by Rebel Park Productions’ Gemma Arterton, Jessica Malik and Jessica Parker in association with The Fyzz Facility and Popcorn Group, is the first in a series aimed at shining a light on the portrayal of women in the media and the challenges women face in the workplace across all industries.

They’ve gathered a fine cast that includes Arterton, alongside Catherine Tate, Gemma Chan, Emilia Clarke, and Felicity Jones. Written and directed by Jessica Swale (Nell Gywnn), the short takes a sneak peek backstage as the cream of British acting talent step forward to audition for that dream role… watch it now:

Writer/director Swale had this to say:

“The genesis for the film began with a desire to see women on screen who are as diverse, characterful, three dimensional and flawed as the women I meet in my daily life. Enough of the identikit, thin, white, posh, sexy, flawless love interests who aren’t given a single good line- we have such amazing actresses, let’s give them proper parts! Until we start seeing real women on screen, represented in all their diversity, we won’t get anywhere.”

The predominantly female crew includes composer Amelia Warner, editor Pani Scott, production designer Francesca Di Mottola and cinematographer Chloë Thomson, a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2017. Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Katie Leung, Stacy Martin, Wunmi Mosaku, Anthony Welsh and Tom Hiddleston round out the stunning cast.

Leading Lady Parts premiered on BBC Four and is available now on BBC iPlayer.

#LeadingLadyParts