Alice Lowe wants Timestalker to lead to more risk-taking in the British film industry

As a cinephile with a penchant for all things offbeat and unconventional, I must say that Timestalker has left me utterly spellbound. Hailing from the British Isles, this cinematic gem is a true testament to the power of creativity, defying categorization while skillfully blending elements of sci-fi, romance, and comedy in a way that feels fresh, invigorating, and uniquely captivating.

In a conversation with Digital Spy, Alice Lowe admits she has a touch of old-fashioned beliefs regarding matters similar to the one we’re discussing, while chatting about her impressive film, Timestalker.

She’s not discussing steering clear of ladders and cracks in the sidewalk prior to shooting Timestalker. Rather, it pertains to whether she retained her own severed head post-filming for the movie. In other words, we’re talking about commonplace matters.

Our makeup artist, Nicola Buck, is incredibly talented. She created and fiercely protected that particular headpiece, treating it as if it were her own offspring, explains Lowe. In a typical production, there would be around 20 of these pieces, but we only had one. I don’t possess it myself, but the production company keeps it in their office.

It’s similar to a funeral mask. I wouldn’t want my children to discover it in the refrigerator and react with shock, thinking it’s my head. In truth, I’m quite content without it.

Agnes’ severed head on set

In the movie “Timestalker”, you might assume that the plot could be considered a spoiler. However, don’t worry. The character played by Lowe, Agnes, experiences a peculiar fate across different periods, frequently becoming smitten with the wrong man – portrayed excellently by Aneurin Barnard as the unscrupulous Alex.

In the same fashion as Lowe did for “Prevenge,” she assumed multiple roles for “Timestalker,” serving not only as its writer and director but also taking on the lead character, Agnes. Initially, she wrote the script envisioning herself in the role, yet she wasn’t completely certain that it would come to fruition.

She expresses that it feels natural to imagine oneself as the main character in a movie, much like a writer might create a novel based on their personal experiences. Initially, she began writing with the impression that the story was about her, but simultaneously felt constrained, as if she wouldn’t be allowed to act in it.

“We need to get Carey Mulligan”

They might respond, “‘With this budget, we should hire a well-known actor like Carey Mulligan.’ That was my expectation, but I decided to stick with my choice of myself. I hoped that if I persisted, they might overlook someone else. However, the production company turned out to be very determined in ensuring that I got the role.

According to Lowe, it’s concerning that there’s a persistent pattern in the indie film industry where projects often fail to take off because they require a well-known actor (star), making it difficult for them to secure that celebrity endorsement.

She’s gladly accepting the task of both directing and acting in the project because she’s grown extremely accustomed to producing films this way, which also guarantees that the movie is brought to life exactly as envisioned.

It feels more efficient for me because I don’t need to clarify what I want to others – I can simply act on it myself, and often others follow suit. This approach eliminates a step in the process that I find tiresome, as I can imagine having to explain it to someone would be challenging at times.” (She jokes about this struggle.)

It’s becoming clear that much of my work relies heavily on unquestioning belief, and if the producer lacks faith in our endeavor or doubts my abilities, success will be elusive. Trust is essential here.

“It’s similar to having unwavering trust in something intangible, such as believing in magic. If I approach it with the conviction that it will succeed, then it does. This is akin to being a captain who instills confidence, where people think, ‘She appears competent, so I feel reassured.’

Timestalker is indeed a testament to its effectiveness, as it undeniably delivers. It stands out as one of the most exceptional British films of the year, offering a distinctly original fusion of sci-fi, romantic comedy, and various other genres in between. You won’t find another film quite like it this year, and it’s well worth your time at the cinema.

Lowe’s creation was intended for the grandeur of the cinema and the shared enjoyment among viewers. It manages to maintain its thought-provoking ideas without losing its essence of being delightful and enchanting.

She remarks, “I believe there’s been a slight shift in our movie production quality, and it seems we’ve overlooked some aspects due to this change. It’s tempting to say, ‘Given the financial constraints of British filmmaking, we simply can’t produce those kinds of films,'” she adds.

I felt a need to question it since I thought, “Why not consider punk, theatre, Derek Jarman, and other visual directors like Powell & Pressburger from the past? Where is their representation here?

I truly enjoy experiencing movies in a packed audience as it consistently elicits laughter, gasps, and reactions. While I can’t reveal too many details, there’s a John Lennon joke that leaves people quite stunned but also amused. It seems like the kind of content that might not pass through the Hollywood development pipeline.

“It’s more of a trickle effect than a gush”

Her ability to continue demonstrating her competence as a filmmaker, through both writing and directing “Prevenge” and co-writing “Sightseers,” is further proof of her self-assuredness in her craft.

Instead of a sudden surge, her self-assurance has been more like a steady drip-drip over time. She explains that all these experiences have cumulatively led her to realize, “Perhaps I’m not as foolish as I thought and perhaps I can accomplish this.

Having built strong connections with producers who trusted my abilities and encouraged me, saying ‘You can stick with your ideas, no need for changes, they work as they are, we support this,’ was incredibly fortunate because it all came together seamlessly.

Lowe mentions that Richard Gadd, the creator of the Emmy-winning show “Baby Reindeer”, expressed a hope during his speech. This hope was that success would encourage the industry to take bolder risks and place trust in their own creative ideas.

Instead of constantly self-censoring and attempting to predict what audiences prefer, while also following certain algorithms for safety, she advocates for remaining true to your creative vision when it comes to expressing specific perspectives or ideas. In her opinion, the key is to stay committed to your artistic convictions and carry them out completely.

How can we safeguard the unique expression of creativity or, to some extent, human spirit in this evolving landscape?

We’re engaged in this battle to uphold the notion that human perception holds more worth than any machine could offer.

If Timestalker is among the battles’ volley of shots, it stands out as an exceptionally enjoyable one – with its gruesome detail of a detached head.

Timestalker is out now in UK and Irish cinemas.

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2024-10-11 10:54