Comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti makes her directorial debut with Sunlight, it will premiere in Edinburgh in August.
Nina Conti comes from a showbiz family, her father being noted actor Tom Conti. Nina trained with theatre director Ken Campbell, which is explored in the documentary Her Master’s Voice. Conti is best known for her ventriloquism, performing with a variety of characters, the best known of which is the sardonic Monkey.
Conti has now made her feature directorial debut with Sunlight.
The plot “follows two people on the edge of life who find purpose and romance through an unlikely connection, escaping the darkness in search of some sunlight. Disappearing into a monkey costume and creating a new persona, Jane strives to break free from a toxic relationship when she encounters a suicidal radio show host, Roy, who presents a path to freedom. After hitting the open road in Roy’s Airstream, the unlikely duo soon hatch a plan that could help finance a new life but could also land them in jail. Hot on their heels is Jane’s controlling partner, Wade, who aims to put an end to Jane’s newfound freedom”.
Conti directs from a screenplay she co-wrote with Shenoah Allen. The two are regular collaborators, having most recently devised and performed a series of Monkey and Roy stage shows. They both star in the film, alongside Bill Wise and Melissa Chambers. Christopher Guest serves as an executive producer.
You can see the film at the Edinburgh Film Festival on the following dates:
Sat, 17 Aug 2024 21:15 Cameo 1
Sun, 18 Aug 2024 21:30 InSpace Gallery
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 21:30 50 George Square Screening Room
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:00 Summerhall Red Lecture Theatre
You can buy tickets here. If you’re a Nina Conti fan, she’s also performing her new show Whose Face Is It Anyway at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, you can find out more details here.
Other films screening at the festival include And Mrs starring comedian Aisling Bea, The Radleys, adapted from Matt Haig’s novel by comedian Jo Brand and Talitha Stevenson, and Alice Lowe’s eagerly awaited sophomore feature Timestalker.
You can find out more information, listings, dates and times here.
