Requiem (2021 film)

Requiem is a 2021 British short film that blends horror and drama, directed by Em Gilbertson and written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge. Set in a remote rural town, the story follows two teenage girls, played by Bella Ramsey and Safia Oakley-Green, who perform a forbidden ritual that unravels deeper tensions between them. Originally conceived as a meditation on grief and queer intimacy through folkloric horror, the film has been noted for its restrained atmosphere, unsettling imagery, and evocative performances. Since its premiere, Requiem has garnered attention for its lyrical storytelling and has been recognized at several international film festivals.

Set in rural England in the year 1605, Requiem takes place in a society governed by strict religious orthodoxy, where deviation from social and spiritual norms—particularly by women—is met with suspicion, punishment, and, at times, lethal consequence. The story follows Evelyn, a young woman struggling to suppress her true identity under the oppressive eye of her father, Minister Gilbert, a fire-and-brimstone preacher who exerts significant control over the local village.

Evelyn is secretly in love with Mary, a relationship that not only defies societal conventions but also invites grave danger in a climate rife with fear of witchcraft. When Minister Gilbert learns of their forbidden bond, he accuses Mary of witchcraft, leveraging his religious authority to orchestrate her arrest and eventual execution by burning.

Shattered by Mary’s death and enraged by the patriarchal forces that sanctioned it, Evelyn undergoes a transformation. Channeling her grief into defiance, she turns to the marginalized women of the village—many of whom have long been subject to the same spiritual and social suppression. Together, they perform a clandestine ritual of retribution, rooted in both pagan tradition and personal resolve, challenging the religious order that has long dictated their lives. As Evelyn leads the uprising, Requiem evolves from a tale of intimate tragedy into one of collective resistance and spiritual reckoning.

• Bella Ramsey as Evelyn
• Safia Oakley-Green as Mary
• Simon Balcon as Minister Gilbert
• Sean Buchanan as Minister Shorter
• Jack Norris as Matthew Shorter
• Jack Condon as Abe
• Juliet Dante as Agnes
• Jason Adam as Josiah

Requiem was directed by Em Gilbertson and written by Laura Jayne Tunbridge.^[2] The film was produced by Michelle Brøndum, with principal photography taking place at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in Bromsgrove, England.^[2][3] In an interview with PinkNews, Gilbertson emphasized the significance of historical remembrance within the LGBTQ community, stating, "It's important for all queer people that we don't forget our history. We have to take lessons from the past to tackle the systemic prejudice still around us and fight for our future."^[4]

The film premiered online in March 2023 via the Alter YouTube channel.^[5] It was subsequently screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival on March 24, 2023,^[6] and featured at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023.^[7]

Requiem received positive critical reception, particularly for its performances. Beatrice Fanucci of GCN described Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Evelyn as “heartwrenching.”^[8] Lyra Hale of Fangirlish praised the film’s visual and emotional impact, noting it was "beautifully brought to life" through the performances of Ramsey and Safia Oakley-Green.^[9]

• Requiem at IMDb
• Requiem on YouTube