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A FILM - Florence Nightingale : Scenes From A Life

Adapted by George Gunby from the play 'Kissing Miss Nightingale's Shadow'

Music written & performed by Mat Williams & John Tams

When Florence Nightingale returned from the Crimean war in 1857, she was the most famous woman in the world. Even now, over 160 years later, her image is of the Lady With The Lamp, the heroine of Scutari.
As a social reformer, statistician, supporter of women's rights, theologian, and the founder of modern nursing her impact was huge.

Now, a new film shines a light upon Florence's life and her wider achievements. "Scenes From A Life" is adapted from a play by George Gunby which stalled because of the pandemic.

The film version includes the specially written music by Mat Williams and John Tams.

Some scenes in the trailer, featured below, were filmed at Florence's Derbyshire home.

Principal photography is due to begin at the end of 2021. The premiere is scheduled for Florence's birthday and International Nurses Day, 12 May 2022.

WE WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP.

WE WANT TO MAKE THE FILM FREE TO NURSING SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS & EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

So that we can do that and pay the cast and crew, the musicians, hire the best equipment and software for post production we need a total of £16500.

Thanks to contributions by the University of Derby and Belper Arts Festival Ltd. the figure has reduced to £11,500.

Further details are available at the crowdfunding web site indiegogo.com

For full details please contact George Gunby (Writer / Producer / Director) at Belper Arts Festival Limited.

Email nonnel@sky.com Tel 07847 478251

'SCENES FROM A LIFE' : THE TEAM

Sheila Kay Sly Fliss Goldsmith Mat Williams John Tams

(Fanny Nightingale) (Florence Nightingale) (Musical Director) (Songwriter & Inspiration)

Jamie Vella Andy Mayers George Gunby James Oldrini

(Lighting Director) (Director of Photography) (Director, Writer & (Director of Sound)

Producer)

Mayers Design

Florence Nightingale Suites
Lea Hurst, Derbyshire www.florencenightingalesuites.co.uk

CONTACT

George Gunby in partnership with

Belper Arts Festival Ltd.

31a Field Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1DD

Tel 07847 478251 Email nonnel@sky.com

NURSES INSPIRE NEW FILM CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

A new film is in preproduction ahead of filming at the end of this year and screenings on

12 May 2022. The date is significant as it marks not only Florence Nightingale's birthday but also International Nurses Day.

'Florence Nightingale : Scenes From A Life' has been adapted from the play (Kissing Miss Nightingale's Shadow) by George Gunby, who is also Directing and Producing the film. Announced in the role of Florence is Fliss Goldsmith, a graduate of LIPA, an actress with over 20 years experience and an author of children's books.

“The pandemic put an end to celebrations for Florence's 200th birthday in 2020 but we were inspired to continue by the nurses who fought so hard against Covid 19,” said George Gunby.

“The film is the result of their actions and it will be made available free of charge to schools, universities, colleges, nursing schools and all educational establishments FREE of charge worldwide. Profits from other screenings will go to Nursing Charities. We hope Florence's words and actions inspire men and women to become nurses.”

'Florence Nightingale : Scenes From A Life' highlights not only the legend of the Lady With The Lamp but also Florence's work as a social reformer, statistician, feminist, theologian and mathematician. When she returned from the Crimean War in 1857 it was as the most famous woman in the world. Now, over 160 years later, her name and fame still resonate. During the pandemic emergency hospitals, test sites and vaccination centres operated under the Nightingale name.

Through crowdfunding via Indigogo.com

www.indiegogo.com/projects/florence-nightingale-scenes-from-a-life#/ , advertising and

sponsorship, Belper Arts Festival Ltd. is looking to raise the final £11,500 towards production costs. The film is being produced in partnership with the University of Derby.

FOR FULL DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT GEORGE GUNBY (Director, Writer & Producer),

31a Field Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1DD, England. Tel 44 (0)7847 478251

Email nonnel@sky.com Web site www.florencenightingale200.com

QUESTION AND ANSWERS WITH GEORGE GUNBY

(WRITER, PRODUCER & DIRECTOR –

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE : SCENES FROM A LIFE)

Q : Why did you choose to make a film about Florence Nightingale?

A : I'd started work in 2018 on a play to be performed in 2020, the year of Florence's 200th birthday. By the end of 2019 performances were lined up with a dozen scheduled around her birthday on 12th May. Then the lockdown came and everything was cancelled. We talked about alternatives and a film, with the script adapted from the play, seemed the sensible solution.

Q : How is the film bringing something new to the story?

A : Ask people about Florence and they'll talk about the Lady With The Lamp, the Crimean War. Yes, she was the founder of modern nursing but she did so much more. The film brings us Florence the social reformer, statistician, feminist, mathematician and theologian. And we highlight the dislike she had for the upper classes she moved in., what she called 'her gilded existence'.

Q : How much planning will go into the film?

A : Planning is everything. Preproduction has begun and when we go into filming at the end of this year everyone will have contributed and know exactly what's needed. Over the past ten years, I've been lucky enough to have worked with hugely talented people who have become 'the team' and a sort of short hand has developed. I have a vision for the film and I know that the team will enhance it. Everyone contributes and more often than not the end result is an improvement for their input. They're all based in Belper which makes life much easier.

Q : And the film will be premiered on Florence Nightingale's birthday 12 May 2022?

Yes. It's also International Nurses Day. The film will be made available, free of charge, to Nursing Schools, Universities, Colleges... in fact any educational establishment worldwide. To help with that we are looking to raise the final £11,500 needed through sponsorship and advertising. Crowdfunding details are at www.indiegogo.com/projects/florence-nightingale-scenes-from-a-life#/