The second indie feature from actor/director Al Carretta.

Available as a FilmApp on the iTunes App Store.

 

 

 

 

T H E  L E N G T H  O F  S P R I N G

In contrast to his debut feature, the mafia themed 'What You See Is What You Get',
Al Carretta goes back to his theatrical roots to deliver an emotionally charged tragedy.
Set in an unnamed University in the late 1990s, 'THE LENGTH OF SPRING' takes us
on a journey of choices and their respective consequences.

Introducing Chloe Rose Packer as 'Charlotte Reata', elements of the film are directly inspired by the stage career of Vivien Leigh and the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe produced stage play 'Tara Reata' that deals with a student's obsession with Leigh and Liz Taylor.

 

 

Sam Butler
(AL CARRETTA)

Charlotte Reata
(CHLOE ROSE PACKER)

Does he really love Charlotte or is it a genuine mismatch?

 

The innocent catalyst of the whole piece.

 

Robbie
(SIMON BRANDON)

Marie
(ELEANOR JAMES)
Obsessed with Charlotte, Robbie just can't let go... Marie and Sam are over but she doesn't think so....

 

 

 

S Y N O P S I S

 

England, 1998. Sam Butler (AL CARRETTA) returns to an unnamed University to complete
his MA in Film. His plans fail immediately as he becomes drawn into the University drama
society he was previously involved with. Struggling to break up with his long term girlfriend,
Marie (ELEANOR JAMES) he finds a catalyst in his sudden relationship with drama society newcomer, Charlotte Reata (CHLOE ROSE PACKER). Racked with guilt after their one night stand, Sam prepares a cheque and a phone number to buy his way out of the problem he has created for Charlie.

Weeks pass and Charlie's previous short term boyfriend Robbie (SIMON BRANDON) has become increasingly obsessed with her after she rejected him under Sam's instruction. Meanwhile, Sam's attitude has changed. He wants Charlie to have his baby to spite Marie.
He's old enough to finally take on some responsibility and although Charlotte is Catholic with strict parents behind her he's Catholic too.

In a moment of clarity Charlotte and Sam make the decision to have the baby and be married. An awkward pairing is created and the mismatch seems quite apparent. Charlotte becomes increasingly disillusioned with drama society and after appearing in two plays she still has to play 'Electra' in the Sophoclean Greek tragedy. The Electra production is falling apart but
Sam won't cancel. The final straw comes when Robbie is called in to play Orestes opposite Charlotte who now despises Robbie. Unhappy with Sam for making the decision to bring him into the production, she is even more furious when she learns he is also now producing a side project for Robbie with Marie. Walking in on the final confrontation between Sam and Marie, the increasingly pregnant Charlotte reaches breaking point and wants nothing more than to leave the University.

Back at home with parents the pair continue their awkward union until the birth of their baby, Charlotte Tara Reata sets up a tragic and unexpected conclusion....

 

P R O D U C T I O N  D E S I G N

 

The actress Vivien Leigh is a key inspiration in this production. On stage 'Charlotte Reata' (Chloe Rose Packer) is lined up to play 'Henriette Duquesnoy' in The Mask Of Virtue. This was the play that catapulted Vivien Leigh to overnight success back in 1935. A key design element was recreating the dress to be similar to that of Leigh's original.

(left) Chloe Rose Packer as Charlotte Reata in a production still as 'Henriette Duquesnoy'.

(right) Vivien Leigh as 'Henriette Duquesnoy' in The Mask Of Virtue by Carl Sternheim.

 

In the film, the entire story of 'Electra' is told from an actor's POV in an intercut 11 minute section. The 'Electra' costume design is directly inspired by Vivien Leigh's famed performance in as 'Lady Macbeth' in The Scottish Play in 1955 performances at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

 
Chloe Rose Packer as Charlotte Reata performing 'Electra' with Paul Bass as 'The Guardian'.


HI-RES PRODUCTION STILLS (CHLOE ROSE PACKER as CHARLOTTE REATA) :

 

 

 

C O N T A C T  I N F O

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