A few weeks back I received an email from I guy I’ve never met and I’ve been trying to decide what to say about it ever since. It was a letter that reduced me to tears because it really brought home to me that what I set out to do in making this film has been achieved. This letter was from man, in another country, whose husband passed away and who has – unsurprisingly – been dealing with mental health issues as a result.

I asked permission to share his letter on this website because I do think it’s important, and he gave that enthusiastically and immediately, but I’ve stalled on doing so because I am uncomfortable with the praise he lays at my door as director when, of course, a film is the sum of all its parts and no small amount of the responsibility for its power comes from the moving performances of the actors, the beautiful cinematography and editing, albeit guided by me as writer-director. But it touched me deeply, so here it is anyway, in full:

Your short film, Rachel, is by far the most incredible and emotional film I have ever seen. I have experienced a similar situation and this brought back memories that I had forgotten, ones I cherished, but also the incredible aching that goes from having a life planned to suddenly an unknown and frightening future. I cried as I watched in a range of tears spanning all emotions. I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to watch it. It will stay with me always. If you need reassurance that you have contributed to the art world, the world itself and at least to this individual, here it is. You are an amazing director and have planted a lasting image in my soul!  Lastly, I explained the story line to my therapist and he was highly excited by it and said if I found out you eventually gave licensing rights to show your film, he runs grief and loss groups that would gain a whole level of healing from seeing it. 
Thank you so very much! 
Edward

Anyway, what this lovely letter tells me is that Rachel really is more than a story about a girl and boy, it is a story that carries meaning for everyone who has loved and lost.

When I wrote the script it was a tough and pretty depressing experience, with many hours of soul-searching and forcing myself to think about personal tragedies, but what this film’s success has taught me is that digging deep and creating art, with absolute unyielding truth and honesty, is worth every dark moment if it can then connect with someone and perhaps help them feel less alone in some small way.

So, congratulations and thanks again to my team for helping me create something that is both beautiful and enduringly meaningful.

And thank you Edward – your kind and generous praise for Rachel means more than you can possibly know.

Karen x