Filmmaker Statement

'Alleviate' was filmed in June 2023. Unfortunately, it's lead actor Darren Kent passed away in August. We are honoured to present this film to celebrate his incredible performance. This is Darren's 'swan song', a short film that explores the complexity, delirium and non-linearity of grief. It is a complex story dealing with profound and unimaginable guilt, and with only one character to focus on, it was down to Darren to deliver...and, boy, did he deliver. We wanted questions before we had answers, we wanted the isolation and emptiness take hold of the audience, and for things to only resolve as we reach the finale. 'Alleviate' is a film about existential crisis; an unbelievable and cathartic journey through profound grief for a man, and his future self, on a desperate attempt to alleviate the pain for his wife. I'm so proud of what we were able to capture on film while Darren was still with us. This is much his film as it is ours.