Emmett J. Scanlan and Gina Bramhill star together in the tense romantic thriller short film Lapse, directed by Imogen Harrison. A surgeon misjudges a stranger in a night of escapism.

Director’s Vision for ‘Lapse’

When Karen Stirgwolt (writer) approached me with this script I knew it was a story I wanted to tell because it put an original female perspective at the forefront. This film was inspired by Fatal Attraction and the idea of flipping the narrative of the one sided relationship and the desperate woman. We wanted to tell a story that does not adhere to the usual stereotypes of gender roles within casual relationships. While watching this film I want the audience to question their own perceptions of adultery and ultimately, how judgement differs for women and men.

Working with Gina Bramhill and Emmett J Scanlan was phenomenal. I adore the work of both of them and developing these characters with them was a joy. There are nuances in their characters’ behaviours which may go unnoticed but that were established to give a real human and relatable emotion to both Lara and Bert.

The look of this film is something I developed with Simon Plunket (director of photography) taking inspiration from cinematic thrillers and 80’s cinema, we explored the use of darkness and pools of light to build emotion and tension. Planning scenes and frames in this way as well as lensing and blocking to emphasise physical space (or lack of) has given this film a bold cinematic vision.