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A Love letter
A documentary about grief
A Love Letter has a bit of an interesting story behind it. After losing some of my family members in the summer of 2024, I was feeling quite sad one day. I decided to go out and see what was happening in Norwich city centre, and that’s when I discovered a small hidden gallery. I went inside and started looking at the paintings from the Norwich 20 Group.
One painting called The Italian Harvest really caught my eye. It had a mix of warm and cool colors, and for some reason, it reminded me of home. I got curious to know more about the painter, and then I learned that she had sadly passed away around the same time I had lost my relatives.
I offered to make a video about her life, and the gallery manager connected me with her husband, Norman. I went to their house, and we started working on the project together. Somehow, the video became less about her life and more about grief — mostly focusing on Norman and how he was coping with losing his wife.
The film was really well received and was later screened at St. Margaret’s Gallery. In the end, the family decided to gift me the painting that started it all. Now the painting is with me, and it feels incredibly special.
In this difficult period , we are so pleased that you found a painting that resonated with you, to help with that pain , and even more so that it was one of my mums !
This is what lead you to my dad , and the making of your second film ‘ A love letter ‘ .
I was so touched that you spent time at Heron Island making this film with my dad.
I watched the film on Tuesday night. It had me in tears .
It is such a gentle, beautiful film. It is quiet , reflective, intimate.
You have captured so much in that short portrayal. So much about my dad - who can be quite elusive ! But also it is a film for everyone. Especially those who have been left behind after a loved one’s passing.
Lyndy Allanson