Essential Travel

2013, 44 minutes

Overcoming fear is everything.

Determined not to be sucked under by the crippling economic downturn in deprived Northern England. Emma struggles to make ends meet by working two jobs. Recently made redundant from her job, she just about survives by delivering newspapers before she starts work as a cleaning lady, in a city centre office. Her life isn’t made any easier by her boyfriend. Dave’s appearance is good looking from the outside and there is a certain charm about him. However, he harbours a cruel agenda, unbeknown to Emma. Emma’s life is accelerated into reverse when she receives the news, her sister, Sara, who lives in Australia, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Deterred at first by the fact they haven’t spoken for five years and her deep fear of flying, she must decide if she can overcome her debilitating claustrophobia. Having decided she must fly to Australia, no matter what. She now faces the challenges of raising the airfare and overcoming her worst fear. Making it to Australia becomes a race against time, with the news Sara’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. Shackled by her own pride and impenetrable stubbornness, Emma refuses financial help from her eccentric and risque friend Clare. Having never accepted handouts or owed money in her life, she instead turns to Clare for a nights work... A night she will never forget. Having raised the cash to finally fly to Australia, Emma is faced with a new challenge... A challenge that virtually strips all hope of seeing her sister again.