The National Gallery is collaborating with the London Film School on 'Transcriptions: LFS Shorts', an innovative new project which involves 2nd term students producing short 3-4 minute films inspired by the Gallery's collection as part of their course.
Not in July
by Mónica Bravo
Chosen Specialisation: Directing/Editing
From the Film Maker...
It came to me as I looked at Jusepe de Ribera's 'The Lamentation over the Dead Christ'. The image captured my attention, directing my eyes to a specific moment in it: the hands of Saint John the Evangelist holding the body of the dead Christ. Two of his fingers are barely touching Christ's back, and it is such a sublime moment in the whole painting that I felt overwhelmed and moved by it.
In a way I think it was a true moment of inspiration. I was able to feel that touch and I wanted to portray it in the film.
The painting moved something in me and affected my creative process. My observation of the painting provided me with an image and a mood for Not in July and I was able to carry that with me throughout all the production stages. Mónica Bravo