Drug Addiction is Seen through the Eyes of 8-Year old 'Brenda' in 'Powerful' New Drama Film

    LOS ANGELES, CA, April 23, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Italian filmmaking virtuoso Matteo Bertoli is announcing "Brenda," an impactful short drama film set in Dublin, Ireland about the tragic and final day in the life of a mother who is addicted to heroin.

Directed by Bertoli and told from the point of view of Brenda - the mother's 8-year old daughter - the fictitious film presents a powerful message and holds a mirror up to a destructive reality that's defiling parts of Dublin today.

"It's basically a portrait of poverty in Dublin," Bertoli said. "Sometimes the situation is very bad."

Despite a healthy and growing economy, some Dublin suburbs have become home to a different, harmful stimulus that's being abused by poor users.

"There's a lot of problems in the suburbs of Dublin," Bertoli says, "and in Dublin, they know, but maybe not in the rest of the world. To me, I'm Italian, this is something hard to believe. At the moment in Italy it's the rich people buying drugs and the poor people just trying to survive to this terrible economic crisis."

Bertoli is a Brescia, Italy native who now resides in Dublin and is renown for his picturesque cinematography on more than 30 productions spanning film, commercials, music videos and branded content.

Among them, last year, Bertoli served as cinematographer on "Rebirth: the Story of Stephen Clinch," a short documentary about a former heroin addict and criminal-turned actor, which will broadcast in July on Ireland's national TV channel, RTE.

He also directed and handled cinematography for the short drama, "Moment of Clarity: Monologue" about a Dublin man who is a recovering alcoholic.

For "Brenda," Bertoli teamed with Irish actor-writer Andrew Lynch to bring this latest artistic, cinematic portrayal of addiction to life. Bertoli and Lynch previously worked together on "Rebirth."

With thematic material hitting close to home, Lynch - who played Dave in "Our Wonderful Home," directed by the award-winning Ivan Kavanagh - wrote the screenplay and also stars as Brenda's father.

"Having grown up in a household torn apart from addiction, I felt I would better write a story from a child's perspective, something which I rarely see done," he said. "Although the addiction in my house was alcohol, not heroin, the effects it has emotionally on a child is pretty much the same."

Bertoli initially drew inspiration for the film after reading a diary about the last 24 hours of a heroin addict. Lynch was drawn to the idea, but wanted to parlay the concept from a different point of view.

"Although I was intrigued by the last 24 hours concept, I wasn't keen on writing someone else's story, nor was I keen on the way that particular story ends when she dies," says Lynch. "You see, drug abuse affects far more than the addict and the problem doesn't stop with their death."

The film introduces actress Ellie Walsh, who stars as Brenda. Charleigh Bailey ("Spacer," "Fair City") stars as Brenda's mother. It is a Three Peas Production and was produced by Kate Larkin.

Along with the story and characters, chief to the film's success is its cinematography and technical nuances delivered by Bertoli. He shot with a 4:3 aspect ratio using a digital Super 16mm Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.

The aim for cinematography was not beautiful, sharp images, but instead a grittier picture that appropriately reflects the story's tone.

"It has to reflect the situation and the story," Bertoli said. "I'm going to put a lot of grain on the finish. I'm really fond of the natural light. We didn't have to use a lot of cinema lights. There's no tripod, no slider and no dolly. Before putting grain, I'm going to fix the white balance and exposure - make the footage perfect, then ruin it. It's a really powerful technique."

Bertoli's worked on cinematography for commercials and corporate videos for Twitter, Airbnb, Facebook, McDonald's, Doritos, Forte Audio, Piad'Amore, Bank of Ireland, AIB Bank, GAA, Gocce Di Lavoro, Black Rose Tattoo, Wisshh Bag, Relio, Radio VivaFM and Cork96FM. He's also provided cinematography for music videos for Melodica Records artist Greta Gray, Universal Music artist Federica Camba, Kevin Wood, Blaise Guld, Princess Bee and others.

"I believe people were eager to work with Matteo after seeing his ability as a cinematographer," Lynch said. "I think Matteo has a fantastic eye for composition and light."

"Brenda" is currently finishing post-production and an announcement about its premiere and festival debut is forthcoming.

"The message is simply think before you judge," Lynch said. "Brenda shows the disastrous affects drug addiction has on a family. Drug addiction is one of those topics that so many people have a passionate opinion on without actually knowing a whole lot about."

The film's trailer is expected to release next month. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/brendashortfilm, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4405772/combined, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4699476/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 and www.matteobertoli.me

"Brenda" is a short drama film from Matteo Bertoli and is written by Andrew Lynch.

# # #