Ben Charles Edwards

Ben Charles Edwards
Born	2 July London, England
Occupation	Filmmaker, director, writer
Known for	Set The Thames On Fire, Motel Monologues, Ways of Seeing

Ben Charles Edwards is a British film director, photographer and writer.^[1] Edwards began his career working as a photographer.^[2] Upon the release of Edwards' feature debut, The British Film Institute remarked that "Charles Edwards’ has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema."

Feature films

Edwards' most recent film entitled 'Come Home', is a psychological horror set and shot in Suffern upstate New York. The movie stars Camilla Rutherford in a leading role. The film was based on a short story Edwards had written as a child. Other members of the cast include Davi Santos, Page Ruth and Nicholas Tucci. The film was written by Edwards with co-writer Nadia Doherty. The original score for the movie was created by Orri Páll Dýrason of Sigur Rós. Filming began in January 2018, with the film set for release 2019. ^[3]

In 2016 Edwards directed his motion picture debut Set the Thames on Fire.^[4] Set the Thames on Fire is a fantasy film, directed by Ben Charles Edwards and written by Al Joshua. The dark comedy stars Michael Winder and Max Bennet as Art & Sal, two boys who fall through the clockwork of a grotesque, nightmare London, endeavouring to survive and escape, and perhaps find hope. The cast also includes Noel Fielding, David Hoyle, Sally Phillips, and Lily Loveless. To date, Set The Thames on Fire has been nominated for "The Discovery Award" for Best New Debut Film at the BFI London Comedy Film Festival 2016. The film was also long listed for the British Independent Film Awards 2016 for "Outstanding Achievement In Craft" and "Newcomer Discovery Award".^[5][6][7]

Other works include the award winning film Will Nature Make a Man of Me Yet? additionally entitled Motel Monologues. The film is a series of monologues originally written or intended to be performed for or by men only, However within the film these monologues are recited back to back by a full female cast in a custom built Motel designed by Edwards and production designer James Hatt'. The film was exhibited at the Pompidou Centre Paris. Edwards was nominated for 'Best Director' at Bokeh film festival. The film was also nominated for 'Best Picture'.

Short films

In early 2013 Edwards directed Dotty, co-written with Dominic Wells. The film was produced by Blonde to Black Pictures and Ben Charles Edwards.^[8][9] Sadie Frost won "Best Actress" at the Hollywood Independent Film Festival for her portrayal of the title character. The film was also selected for a further 18 international film festivals and received its European Premiere at Raindance Film Festival 2014 in its hometown of London.

In early 2012, Ben created "Suzie Lovitt", a 10-minute short starring eight-year-old Rudy Law (son of Sadie Frost and Jude Law). The film was written by Edwards and Dominic Wells. "Suzie Lovitt" has only been screened once for a private event in Leicester Square in early 2012.

In 2011, Edwards directed and co-wrote Animal Charm, starring Boy George, Michael Urie, Sally Phillips, Sadie Frost and Emily Beecham.^[10][11]

Edwards' first short film, A musical entitled The Town That Boars Me (2008),^[12][13] a series of short films entitled "A Picture Book Of London Town", and Giles (a study of Giles Deacon) for Vogue Italia.

References