An Interview With Charlene Jones
Charlene Jones is a Manchester-based writer and director. Having written and directed films including Henceforth (2017), Late Nights (2019), and Before I Go To Sleep (2021), Charlene is undoubtedly a successful young filmmaker. Due to this, she has been a part of this year's BFI Weekender - an event which aims to showcase the talents of filmmakers from working-class backgrounds. In this interview, Charlene talks to us about entering the film industry and her creative process, as well as giving us insight into what she’d like to achieve next in her filmmaking career.
Congratulations on being a part of BFI Weekender this year! What does it mean to you to be part of this event?
I was super happy to be a part of it! It was a great opportunity to network and have discussions with people to aid your development in the industry but also to hear about other people’s setbacks that they’ve experienced too.
Following on from the BFI Weekender’s aim to showcase working-class creatives like yourself, did you encounter any challenges when entering into the film industry as a working-class individual?
I’ve been quite fortunate in terms of entering the industry and didn’t really think about it as a goal. I entered my film, Henceforth, into the BFI Future Film Festival (which was free at the time) and luckily enough it gained some recognition there. I was quite academic growing up too, so university was always an option for me - in terms of the loan I thought, well, if I never make enough I never really pay it back anyway. Equally, I had no idea how I’d get into the industry and make a body of work if I hadn’t studied, as it gives you access to equipment and allows you to experiment. I appreciate that this is not the right path for everyone though. I believe that, sometimes it’s the beliefs you hold that can set you back but, above all, it’s important to remember that these things take time.
Your film, Henceforth, follows three siblings and their experiences of losing their parents. Is focusing on raw discussions and themes in your work something that is important to you?
Yes - I feel like it gets to the root of a story and the core about what is affecting a person or character. I enjoy focusing on these kinds of themes also because people find comfort knowing that others are experiencing a similar whirlwind of emotions and we all know how intense our emotions can be and how difficult they can be to control at times.
Still from Before I Fall Asleep (2021). Credit to Belal Bassa and Charlene Jones.
Following on from this, are there any other themes or concepts that you’re keen to discuss in your future filmmaking?
I definitely want to explore themes of adolescence, mental health and family relationships more. I’m open to anything though - I want to get into making more music videos and equally enjoy exploring other people’s narratives. So, if I feel like I can resonate with a story and bring my own personal elements and ideas into it, then I’m all for it.
On a more personal note, is there anyone who you particularly admire in the film industry at the moment?
I really enjoy Lily Rose Thomas’ work. Girls Who Drink is a fab short which I imagine a lot of young women can relate to in some form and, in my view, we don’t discuss our relationship with alcohol enough.
Still from Henceforth (2017). Credit to Charlene Jones.
Also, is there anything you’ve watched recently that you’ve loved?
I’ve just watched Lupin on Netflix! It’s great, with lots of unpredictable twists.
Recently, New Creatives North have commissioned you to make your new film project Before I Fall Asleep. Can you tell us a little about this new project?
Before I Fall Asleep explores the idea of memory and trauma and how this can recur in your life - particularly in the moment when you’re settled into bed and the darkness of the night seeps in.
Also, do you think that schemes like New Creatives North are finally opening doors for young working-class creatives?
Definitely, these things still take time to apply for though, but New Creatives was particularly great as they allow artists from a range of creative backgrounds to be involved and they’re super supportive. Ultimately though, I think the key to success is a mix of luck, believing in yourself and having resilience. I applied to the scheme multiple times and that’s the kind of thing you don’t see online.
And finally, what are some changes that you’d like to see in terms of making the industry more inclusive?
More reaching out to regional young creatives would be great as it seems to me to be fairly city-centric, and if I hadn’t studied in Leeds and Manchester I don’t think I would have had the same opportunities if I’d chosen a different route to studying. Also, people need to feel they have permission to make films and tell stories with whatever means they have access to.
Where to find Charlene:
Website: https://www.charlenejones.co.uk/
Twitter: @_charlenejones
Instagram: @_charlenejones
Interview by Susanna Demelas
