Dreams & Desires – Family Ties

Director: Joanna Quinn
UK | English
2006 | 10 min | Colour

Beryl Thomas mother and worker, unexpectedly acquires a Digicam. Initially fearful of using it, she quickly discovers that by keeping an ongoing Video Diary she’s able to re awaken and explore past passions, dreams and long lost ambitions she once had as a teenager. Predictably Beryl’s friends and relatives also insist that she undertakes various ‘video’ assignments for them. Reluctantly she agrees, beginning with her friend Mandy’s forthcoming wedding. During the wedding shoot she decides to throw caution to the wind by pushing the boundaries of the wedding video genre and by continuing her own video diary. She experiments with a ‘film technique’ gleaned from studying books on film language and the lives of the great cineastes and at the reception she mounts the Digicam on the back of Digger, Mandy’s incontinent dog, seeking ‘poetry and truth in motion.’ Beryl’s liberation from the notions of conventional wedding narrative results in a devastating series of unguarded, unpredictable and disastrous vignettes, revealing the true nature of celebration and human intercourse. It remains to be seen, however, whether the wedding throng itself will recognise Beryl’s unique achievements.

Joanna Quinn

Joanna was born in 1962 and grew up in London. She completed her BA in Graphic Design at Middlesex University, and it was here that she first discovered the magic of animation. Joanna moved to Wales in 1985 and founded Beryl Productions with her partner, producer/writer Les Mills. The couple have collaborated in the production of animated films, commercials and as educators ever since. Joanna’s drawing skills, humour and wonderful characterisations have made her a highly acclaimed figure in world animation. She has won over 90 international awards, including Emmys, Baftas, Oscar© Nominations, and Jury prizes at all the major animation festivals. For the last 15 years she has been working at Beryl Productions producing TV commercials worldwide. Joanna is an Honorary Fellow at the Royal College of Art, London and University of Wales Newport and Honorary Doctor at the University of Wolverhampton and Middlesex University. Joanna is now working on their new film Dreams & Desires – Affairs of the Art.

Credits

Director: Joanna Quinn
Producer: Les Mills
Screenwriter: Les Mills
Editor: Paul Hibbs
Music: Constantino Martinez Orts
Production Company: Beryl Productions International Ltd Voice
Cast: Menna Trussler, Rachel Atkins, Brendan Charleson, Pepi Blade

Festival Appearances & Awards

British Animation Award, 2008 – Public Choice
BAFTA Wales, 2007 – Best Animation
Krakow Film Festival, 2007 – Silver Dragon Best Animation, FICC Prize, Special Mention Student Jury Nashville Film Festival, 2007 – Best Animation Shortlisted for the
Academy Awards, 2006
BAFTA, 2006 – Nomination for Best Animated Film
Annecy Animation Festival, France, 2006  – Audience Prize, FIPRESCI Critics Award, Special Jury Award Cinanima, Portugal, 2006 – Best Film Audience Prize, Best Film TV 2 Award, 
Jose Abel Best European Animation Award
European ‘Cartoon D’Or ‘, France, 2006 – Winner
Anima Mundi, Brazil, 2006 – Best Animation, Best Design/Art Directing