Ben Charles Edwards
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Ben Charles Edwards is a British film director, producer and writer. Edwards began his career working as a photographer. Upon the release of Edwards' feature debut, The British Film Institute remarked that "Charles Edwards’ has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema."


Feature films

Most recently Edwards created and directed ’The Wheels of Heaven’, starring
Mickey Rourke Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. ( ; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former professional Boxing, boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading actor, leading man in drama, action, and thriller films. In a Mickey Rourke filmogra ...
, Gary Stretch and Geoff Bell. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, London and Bulgaria. The story tells of a troubled young girl, Iva, who meets a charming older boy who gives her the strength to stand up and find her own path in life. But is the boy, as he claims, the fallen angel Lucifer sent to guide Iva in her destiny to save the human race? Or is he a delusional and dangerous young man? When speaking to Deadline, Edwards remarked “The Wheels of Heaven is a tense thriller and at times a touching coming-of-age story; a love letter to the Devil, I wanted to pay heed to the ultimate fictional text of Mark Twain’s The Mysterious Stranger, with both pieces examining the ambiguity of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, and exploring how these concepts relate to life as it’s actually lived and the delicate balance between them. To quote the movie, ‘there is darkness in the most virtuous and light in the corrupt’.” 2021 saw Edwards produce the feature film '' A Bird Flew In'' (originally titled ''Alone''). Edward's production became the first UK film to start shooting since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic took hold. ''A Bird Flew In'' is a black and white
Cinéma vérité Cinéma vérité (, , ) is a style of documentary filmmaking developed by Edgar Morin and Jean Rouch, inspired by Dziga Vertov's theory about '' Kino-Pravda''. It combines improvisation with use of the camera to unveil truth or highlight subje ...
inspired feature film. Starring Sir Derek Jacobi, Jeff Fahey, Camilla Rutherford, Michael Winder,
Morgana Robinson Morgana Robinson is an Australian-born British comedian, impressionist, writer and actress. She has appeared in her comedy sketch programme '' The Morgana Show'', ''Morgana Robinson's The Agency'', '' House of Fools'' and '' Very Important Peop ...
and
Frances Barber Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays '' Camille'' (1985), and '' Uncle Vanya'' (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with ...
. The film was written by Edwards' longtime writing partner Dominic Wells and directed by Kirsty Bell in her directorial debut. The story was conceived in the first week of lockdown and written in short order throughout confinement, the black and white film charts six interlinked narratives. The film is set in the UK and France and was nominated for 'Best UK Feature Film' at the 2021 Raindance Film Festival where it opened in its hometown of London. In early 2020 Edwards produced the feature documentary ''Quant''. An insightful look into Mary Quant, One of the UK's most renowned cultural figures, Quant was at the vanguard of the stylistic revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, leading the charge away from convention and conservatism through the championing of ground-breaking designs including the miniskirt and hot pants, the film was directed by Edwards' longstanding collaborator Sadie Frost. ''Quant'' premiered within the official selection of The BFI London Film Festival 2021 before its UK theatrical release 2019 saw Edwards' write and direct ''Father of Flies'', a psychological horror set in Suffern upstate
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
. Filming took place in New York and London. The movie stars Camilla Rutherford in a leading role. The film was based on a story Edwards had written as a child. Other members of the cast include Davi Santos, Page Ruth and the late
Nicholas Tucci Nicholas Whitney Tucci (April 3, 1981 – March 3, 2020) was an American actor. Early life Tucci was born in Middletown, Connecticut in 1981. He attended Middletown High School (Connecticut), Middletown High School in his hometown, and earned a ba ...
. The original score for the movie was created by Orri Páll Dýrason of
Sigur Rós Sigur Rós () is an Icelandic post-rock band that formed in 1994 in Reykjavík. It comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Jónsi, Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm, and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Known for their ethereal soun ...
. Filming began in January 2018, with the film dedicated to the memory of actor
Nicholas Tucci Nicholas Whitney Tucci (April 3, 1981 – March 3, 2020) was an American actor. Early life Tucci was born in Middletown, Connecticut in 1981. He attended Middletown High School (Connecticut), Middletown High School in his hometown, and earned a ba ...
and set for release in 2022. To date, ''Father of Flies'' has been awarded 'Best Feature Film' at Buenos Aires International Film Festival 2022. The film was also awarded at Paris International Film Festival for 'Best Score' and 'Best Sound Design'. In 2016 Edwards directed his
motion picture A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, since ...
debut '' Set the Thames on Fire''. '' Set the Thames on Fire'' is a fantasy film, directed by Ben Charles Edwards and written by Al Joshua. The
dark comedy Black comedy, also known as black humor, bleak comedy, dark comedy, dark humor, gallows humor or morbid humor, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally ...
stars Michael Winder and Max Bennet as Art & Sal, two boys who fall through the clockwork of a grotesque, nightmare London, endeavouring to survive and escape, and perhaps find hope. The cast also includes
Noel Fielding Noel Fielding (; born 21 May 1973) is an English comedian, artist, and actor. He was part of The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside Julian Barratt in the 2000s, and has been a co-presenter of ''The Great British Bake Off'' since 2017. He is kn ...
, David Hoyle,
Sally Phillips Sally Elizabeth Phillips (born 10 May 1970) is an English actress, comedian, and television presenter. She co-created and was one of the writers of the sketch comedy show '' Smack the Pony''. She is also known for her roles in '' Jam & Jerusale ...
, and
Lily Loveless Lily May Loveless (born 16 April 1990) is an English actress, best known for her role as Naomi in the BAFTA award-winning drama '' Skins''. Career Loveless made her acting debut in the third series of '' Skins'', playing the sexually confused, ...
. To date, ''Set The Thames on Fire'' has been nominated for "The Discovery Award" for Best New Debut Film at the BFI London Comedy Film Festival 2016. The film was also long listed for the British Independent Film Awards 2016 for "Outstanding Achievement In Craft" and "Newcomer Discovery Award". Other works include the award-winning film ''Will Nature Make a Man of Me Yet?''. Additionally entitled ''Motel Monologues''. The film is a series of monologues originally written or intended to be performed for or by men only. However within the film these monologues are recited back to back by a full female cast. Set in a custom built Motel designed by Edwards and production designer James Hatt'. The film was exhibited at the
Pompidou Centre The Centre Pompidou (), more fully the (), also known as the Pompidou Centre in English and colloquially as Beaubourg, is a building complex in Paris, France. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architectural team of ...
Paris. Edwards was nominated for 'Best Director' at Bokeh film festival. The film was also nominated for 'Best Picture'.


Short films

In early 2013 Edwards directed ''Dotty'', co-written with Dominic Wells. The film was produced by Blonde to Black Pictures and Ben Charles Edwards. Sadie Frost won "Best Actress" at the Hollywood Independent Film Festival for her portrayal of the title character. The film was also selected for a further 18 international film festivals and received its European Premiere at
Raindance Film Festival Raindance is an independent film festival and film school that operates in major cities including London, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Budapest, Berlin, and Brussels. The festival was established in 1992 by Elliot Grove ...
2014 in its hometown of London. In early 2012, Ben created "Suzie Lovitt", a 10-minute short starring eight-year-old Rudy Law (son of Sadie Frost and
Jude Law David Jude Heyworth Law (born 29 December 1972) is an English actor. He began his career in theatre before landing small roles in various British television productions and feature films. Law gained international recognition for his role in An ...
). The film was written by Edwards and Dominic Wells. "Suzie Lovitt" has only been screened once for a private event in Leicester Square in early 2012. In 2011, Edwards directed and co-wrote ''Animal Charm'', starring
Boy George George Alan O'Dowd (born 14 June 1961), known professionally as Boy George, is an English singer-songwriter and DJ who rose to fame as the lead singer of the pop band Culture Club. He began his solo career in 1987. Boy George grew up in Eltham a ...
,
Michael Urie Michael Lorenzo Urie (born August 8, 1980) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Marc St. James on the ABC comedy drama television series ''Ugly Betty'' and Brian on the Apple TV+ series '' Shrinking'', a role for which he won ...
,
Sally Phillips Sally Elizabeth Phillips (born 10 May 1970) is an English actress, comedian, and television presenter. She co-created and was one of the writers of the sketch comedy show '' Smack the Pony''. She is also known for her roles in '' Jam & Jerusale ...
, Sadie Frost and Emily Beecham. Edwards' first short film, a musical entitled ''The Town That Boars Me'' (2008),Wells, Dominic
Heels before swine in Ben Charles Edwards's The Town That Boars Me
The Times, 14 August 2008.
a series of short films entitled "A Picture Book Of London Town", and ''Giles'' (a study of
Giles Deacon Giles David Deacon (born 14 December 1969) is a British fashion designer, illustrator, creative director and founder of Giles Deacon group, a fashion enterprise. Deacon joined the Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Deacon has been known to challenge the ...
) for Vogue Italia.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Ben Charles English film directors British horror film directors Film people from London Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Place of birth missing (living people)