An Easel With No Canvas

2012, 10 minutes

Dark short film

SYNOPSIS FOR AN EASEL WITH NO CANVASS Fleur is an artist. She's intrinsically introspective and egocentric whilst at the same time possessing an inherent self loathing which on the surface appears as arrogance and selfishness often resulting in tactless and emotional outbursts. She lives with Harry; a successful banker, responsible, good looking and wealthy. Having had an incredibly down to earth and normal upbringing he is chilled out and upbeat. Even though they are not married, he has provided Fleur with a comfortable life, a beautiful home and an active social life. With regards to his character, he is in every sense the antithesis to Fleur. Always patient and supportive of Fleur's artistic endeavours, her mood swings, temper tantrums and depression, he even turns a blind eye to her frequent cutting remarks and ungrateful behaviour. Owing to both an undisclosed past trauma and her very privileged present circumstances, Fleur's inability to recognise her quality of life, her adoring husband and her talents result in her pursuing an affair with her best friend's husband; art dealer Florian. A clandestine liaison prevails, whose dangerous consequence s ignite a new sense of being for Fleur. Her increasingly nonchalant existence edges nearer to self destruction and to ruining those relationships she holds dear. Inevitably, through a very apparent undercurrent of dishonesty and lies, a sense of misdemeanours, pain and resentment permeate what seemed at the outset to be a fulfilled existence for all concerned. A much anticipated exhibition revealing Fleur's dark past, Louisa's inability to conceive and Florian's guiltless and callous destruction of both his and Harry's relationships, are just some of the themes addressed in this piece which questions our inner demons, external influences and strength of will and mind...devastating consequences ensue with Fleur's resolution resulting in her own death.