OKRE connects the film, TV, and gaming industries with researchers and lived experience to create entertainment that sparks real social change
Case Study
CultureFilm

The Ceremony

Immigrant cultures expressed through food, music & burial Practices.
The Ceremony shows us how a clash over stolen property and a tragic death can unite two unlikely men on an emotional journey across Yorkshire. Together, they search for a fitting burial place, creating a captivating and poignant journey through the landscape.

How did OKRE support collaboration

OKRE was able to assist the filmmakers collaborative work with those with lived experience of migration. We supported their work consulting with local charities and migrant communities, that significantly shaped the film’s development.

Director and writer Jack King, and producers Hollie Bryan and Lucy Meer, worked closely with the migrant community, collaborating with charities like Christians Against Poverty, Bradford Central Foodbank and Salahdin Mosque. OKRE was drawn to supporting the team at The Ceremony as their goal was to capture the real-life struggles and attitudes of migrant workers. OKRE helped to support the team in conducting interviews and holding workshops to gather authentic stories.

Beautifully directed and performed and shot in stark black and white with a vivid sense of visual splendour, this humane and moving film packs quite the emotional punch.

Paul Ridd

CEO & Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival
How lived experience improved authenticity

Food

  • One of the outcomes from the OKRE-funded collaborations was the film’s depiction of traditional Romanian food.
  • During a workshop, Romanian cast members expressed a preference for cooking a traditional dish, which was then beautifully woven into the film.
  • During a workshop, Romanian cast members expressed a preference for cooking a traditional dish, which was then beautifully woven into the film.

Burial Practices

  • The film’s portrayal of burial practices was another aspect refined through this collaborative approach.
  • Initially, the film depicted a Western-style burial position, but feedback from a migrant cast member led to it being revised to accurately reflect the Muslim practice of laying the body on its right side, facing Mecca.
  • This change was crucial in honouring the characters’ deep respect for their cultural and religious practices.

Musical choices

  • Feedback from those with lived experience on the film’s music also played a vital role, ensuring the soundtrack set the right cultural tone and mood from the start. 

Improvisational Direction

  • Jack King’s improvisational approach to directing allowed the mix of professional actors and migrant participants to bring a wealth of personal experiences to their roles.
  • This enriched the film’s narrative, making the characters’ experiences and interactions feel even more real and relatable.

Meet the Team:

Jack King

Writer & Director

Hollie Bryan

Producer

Lucy Meer

Producer

Collaborators

Christians Against Poverty

Bradford Central Foodbank

Salahadin Mosque

Awards

BAFTA

Nominee, Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director or Producer

BIFA

Nominee, Best film

EIFF

Winner, Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence

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