SWEET LEMON TEA (2024)

my role: Director

Synopsis

‘Sweet Lemon Tea’ is a portrait of a young woman dealing with personal loss in her own, unassuming way.

This film describes a very memorable and difficult moment in our protagonist Noa’s life – her mother’s funeral. It focuses on unconventional, but sincere ways of mourning. During the day she faces all the difficulties of this event, accompanied by her brother Bruno, to whom she has a very close, but rather provocative relationship with. Despite the tragic occasion, the two siblings find ways to bond in joining forces to deal with their family. It is only by the end of the day that Noa, who keeps herself and her emotions controlled, fully realises the loss through a simple, but happy memory.

Director’s Vision Statement

Sweet Lemon Tea is a story about loss and missed opportunities. It is the portrait of Noa, a young woman, who must endure all the difficulties of attending her mother’s funeral.

The story outlines different types of mourning and wants to break the stereotypes of how dealing with grief can be a challenge in itself. With my approach, I hope to bring comfort to people who mourn in unconventional ways, and face regrets about missed opportunities. I hope to create an understanding of these rather darkly painted days, as the celebration of death is only meant to bring comfort to friends and family, giving a chance to say goodbye, no matter how, when and with who. 

What’s next?

Sweet Lemon Tea is currently in the last stages of post-production and will be finished soon.

BTS - shoot of Sweet Lemon Tea (2024)

Cast

Noa: Artemis Wilson

Bruno: Matt Bunn

Father Payne: Joe Warner

Mother (Voice): Siobhan Dowd

Crew

Writer: Lou Marie Lorenz
Director: Valerie J M Tengelmann
Producer: Edgar Vazquez
Director of Photography: Ailen Lopez R.
1st Assistant Director: Julien Mouquet

Camera Operator: Aishwarya Das
1st AC: Justin Jamgbadi
2nd AC: Manav R. K.
Gaffer: Nivedita Vijaykumar
Sound Mixer: Shoh K. O.
Boom Operator: Andrea Pavlou
Script Supervisor: G. Abrom Henries
Covid-19 Supervisor: Onyinye Udezeh
Stills Photographers: Kiran BM, Edgar Vazquez
Make-up Artist: Evelina Baumane

Editors: Vedanta Gadmire, Ailen Lopez R., Julien Mouquet

Score: Noor Harajli

Executive Producers: Daisy Gili, Anna Macdonald
Associate Producers: Lottie Britton, Josh Owen
Senior Production Coordinator: Alastair Train

Special Thanks to London Film Academy Tutors and Staff