This post is sooooo late I apologise but it’s been crazy busy in the life of Karlie, I almost shelved it but I think for any aspiring writers and even regular writers, it would be helpful, and after writing it and reading it through, I’m reminded of how wonderful it was.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to go to Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse screening of Song For Marion, with a q&a afterwards with the LEGEND that is Terence Stamp. I went with my lovely young friends from my course, and we settled down to watch the film.

Song for Marion is a beautiful film. My favourite films are real life, I like gritty, I like truth, and Song For Marion delivers this in a great narrative. Stamp plays, in my eyes a vey typical, London Grandad, Arthur. Redgrave plays his wife, Marion. Gemma Arterton plays a music teacher. I don’t want to spoil the narrative, (I want you to go see the film, because it’s so heart warming. If it doesn’t make you laugh and cry, make an appointment with your doctor to get your heart checked!), but I think you can guess the film is about a song being for someone called Marion.

In a continued stream of lucky, I chatted with the writer, Paul Andrew Williams. I only wanted to know one thing. Where did you get the idea from?

In his words… “The idea for the film came from lots of things. Some of the events in the film, some of the characters are lifted from my life and the lives of people I know. My grandma died the same way, similar circumstances. I admire the strength of the people a few generations ago, relationships meant something and it was a thing of honour and respect, things were worked through and the responsibility to the marriage feeds the strength and need remain together. I very much wanted to show that in a relationship. I also looked at what would possibly make someone like my grandfather join a choir and come out of himself a bit”

I think Paul has managed to write strong characters, brought to life superbly by its actors. The way the relationships interweave throughout the film, is really clever. The film pulls you nicely through a rollercoaster of emotions, with each scene change. I haven’t enjoyed a film so much in ages. Arthur definitely shows traces of my Dad, so it hits me on a deeper level, and the story, although reversed, was similar to my parents.

Terrence Stamp was fabulous at the q&a, I don’t know what I was expecting. I know him mainly from Superman and Priscilla Queen of the Dessert, so seeing him play a much older character was refreshing. As he spoke I was struck by his spirituality. He spoke of how he believes in life there are twin souls, and Arthur and Marion epitomise this. He spoke of love and relationships so intimately, it was like I was the only person in the room with him. He captivated the audience with his tales of Michael Caine, Fellini, Edinburgh and his younger days. He said his inspiration for Arthur was his own father. It was a beautifully, intimate moment, massive thanks to the cameo for hosting it!!

And fellow writers, I hope you take inspiration from Paul Andrew Williams, and write what you know!!