Confetti

Colour, 35 mm
United Kingdom, 2006, 99 min
IP – International premiere
Section: Official Selection - Out of Competition

Synopsis

This fictional documentary follows the preparations of three young couples who, with the help of professional wedding planners, are competing for the title “most original wedding of the year”, awarded by Confetti magazine. Old-fashioned romantics Matt and Samantha are planning a wedding in the style of a Hollywood musical; tennis buffs Josef and Isabelle won’t allow themselves to lose the match; and naturists Michael and Joanna want to prove to the world that there’s nothing wrong with nudity. Which couple will take away the prize? Director Debbie Isitt was inspired by the preparations for her own sister’s wedding, and she spent almost two years making the film. The scenes were filmed without a script, based entirely on improvisation. “I decided to ask the actors if they would pretend to be their characters and plan their weddings over the course of about two months. I would observe them and try to interfere as little as possible,” says Isitt. “As long as I felt that they were being emotionally honest and real, I was happy.”

About the director

Debbie Isitt (b. 1966) screenwriter, director and playwright, has a series of successful stage, television and film projects behind her. She founded the stage company Snarling Beasties, which has won many awards, including one from the Edinburgh Festival. She recently won a BAFTA for Best Screenplay for her children’s TV series The Illustrated Mum. The film Confetti (2006) is her second feature film as writer-director, preceded by the black comedy Nasty Neighbours (2000) with Ricky Tomlison in the lead role, the comedy Tribute, the short film Wasps (1997) and “Johnny Watkins Walks on Water” from the BBC TV series 10 x 10.