18th May 2019
As anyone who has walked around The Swan will attest, its old walls and floorboards seem soaked in stories. Tales of tantalising tunnels, raucous wedding banquets, barrel races and pet pigs eating leftovers by the fire; the imagination runs wild when you step off Mill Lane and into the old inn.
The Widow
So it was fitting that this week, The Swan played its part in a new story. Clewer resident and successful actor-turned-producer, Ailish Castillo (Symons), has borrowed some rooms on the first floor to film a short story from her family’s history, transforming them into an artist’s abode in the late 40s in Ireland.
“The Widow” is a story of a woman left alone to raise her three children when her husband died of TB in Ireland in 1949. The set was provided by several of the totally transformed bedrooms of The Swan. The short film will last about 8 minutes and is Ailish’s first venture in writing, producing and directing a film.
This is one of the bedrooms, just before the last volunteer day, and then again after the scenery professionals had been in. This was used as the dining room.
Ailish is producing this herself as her first short film. The budget is tight, covering the full end-to-end from concept to filming and then post-production. Filming is due in a couple of weeks. If you want to contribute to one of our community projects, making a difference, please have a look at her GoFundMe page.
How It Looked Beforehand
This is the front bedroom during the volunteers’ day.
How It Looked Afterwards
And now, after the crew has sprinkled their magic dust.
Filming
Shooting the film was completed in the Church of St Andrew, Clewer, on May 17th, with the following two days being in The Swan.
What’s left to do? A day filming exterior shots in the Brecon Beacons and then post-production. We hope to have some special viewings of The Widow once it is complete. More news later this year.
Question and Answer Session
Students from the Green Room School’s sixth form were invited along to meet Ailish and hear about her life and career, as well as visit the stunningly detailed sets her art team have created in what will become the Swan’s letting space. The session was a fascinating learning experience for all involved, and really captured the essence of what we are building: a community hub for people of all backgrounds and experiences to come together and share their passions and stories.
More information can be found at LionBear Films.