Midlands Review of Lepidopterist
midlandsmovies • October 4, 2021
Lepidopterist
Directed by Sophie Black
2021
Triskelle Pictures
From Triskelle Pictures comes Lepidopterist, a short film written and directed by Sophie Black.
The film opens and we're introduced to a young scientist, Nic Callanan (Charlie Clarke), packing a large box inside a white transit van parked outside a high security level facility.
After a nervous exit past the laboratory gatehouse, our protagonist Nic is well on her way, with the secret cargo in tow, but where?
Lepidopterist, a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths is what we assume Nic Callanan is. Her van is littered with books about Lepidoptera and the opening images, very avant-garde-esque, are of butterflies and insects. We are then surprised with a girl's scream which interrupts the screen and the story (written by Tommy Draper) begins.
An anxious Nic pulls the van over in a discreet lay-by and her record player is on to calm whatever is in the box. To placate here even further, Nic feeds it an odd looking blue stick which is taken gracefully through a small air hole without a sound.
Moments later and we hear a voice via Nic's work hand-held radio, that explains a subject has been stolen from the lab. She's been rumbled! An inevitable situation for sure but one she thought was coming much later.
I don't want to go into too much detail regarding the reveal of what is inside the box, as its beauty is partly owed to the mystique surrounding it.
Much like the beautiful end credits, this is a stunning film, aesthetically and allegorically Lepidopterist explores man's connection with nature. After viewing the film I was reminded of Guillermo Del Toro's The Shape of Water and the tender way it dealt with a tragic relationship between two different species.
Surprisingly Lepidopterist was shot in 48 hours for the Sci-Fi London 48hr Film Challenge. The skill involved to make a short film of this quality in such a brief time is staggering, a massive compliment to the cast and crew's ability and talent.
Will Price, the films director of photography, adds colour and vibrancy to the screen whilst the music by Joni Fuller also creates a brilliant, melancholic score to accompany the image.
Sophie Black has created something truly remarkable in Lepidopterist, a film which deserves repeat viewings so you can admire the beautiful story again and again.
Guy Russell
Twitter @budguyer
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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