A Friend of Dorothy – Oscar Nominated Short Film Starring Miriam Margolyes

It’s strange the directions in which life can unexpectedly take you.  This charming short film, starring Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry and relative newcomer Alistair Nwachukwu (who looks like his star will shine brightly in the future) is about just that.  Teenager JJ kicks his football into Dorothy’s garden, and knocks on her door to retrieve it.  That’s a lucky break for Dorothy because she has found it impossible to open her daily tin of prunes – and a strong young man is just what she needs to help out.  Maybe she has found the friend she needs...

An almost immediate spark of mutual trust and friendship is ignited – two comparatively lost souls find company in their unexpected shared interest.  To say anything else might mean spoiling the film – it is, after all, very short.  But it is beautiful – and the performance from the two leads are just, well, the only word for it is lovely.  Of course there is the very capable support from Stephen Fry, being very Stephen Fryish and also Oscar Lloyd as Dorothy’s priggish grandson.

The film has quite rightly been nominated for an Oscar (Best Live Action Short Film) which leaves me in something of a dilemma.  Jane Austen’s Period Drama has also been nominated this year and I really don’t know which one should win, both being outstanding.  I'm torn. Can an acdemy award be shared? Please let it be so...

A Friend of Dorothy was written, directed and executive produced by Lee Knight and produced by James Dean, Scottie Fotré, and Max Marlow.  A big thank you to them all for giving us this very precious twenty minutes.