Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Rhubarb farmer Harry Bamford spent his working life growing and perfecting his prize-winning crop. Now, long retired and under the care of his struggling wife Joyce, Harry begins to experience vivid and disturbing hallucinations.
TUSKY is a short film from Writer-Director Steven Boyle. It stars BAFTA nominated actor Phil Davis (Vera Drake, Quadrophenia, Whitechapel, Slow Horses, True Love) and Felicity Montagu (I’m Alan Partridge, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Landscapers, Beyond Paradise)
TUSKY was produced by Nicola Dempsey through production company Little Battle.
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Tusky by Steven Boyle
instagram.com/steveyboyle_director/?hl=en
"My visual references were a strange mix of rhubarb, high-contrast cinematography and surrealism. I love the work of photographer Gregory Crewdson, the nocturnal weirdness of his Twilight series was a strong reference. In terms of specific film references, Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years shot by cinematographer Lol Crawley struck a chord visually and tonally, and two classic animated films When the Wind Blows and Watership Down were very influential.
When the Wind Blows is the story of Jim & Hilda an elderly couple living in rural England trying to survive a Nuclear attack. It’s a powerful film that evokes a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. When I was writing, I was trying to tap into a similar feeling, there’s definitely a bit of Jim & Hilda in Harry & Joyce. Watership Down is the less obvious reference. Gruesome rabbit-on-rabbit violence aside, it’s the pink sunsets and rural landscapes, and it’s beautifully melancholy. Also, there’s one iconic scene in that film that heavily informs a scene in Tusky but I won’t say which one."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Tusky with our exclusive interview with writer/director Steven Boyle
directorsnotes.com/2026/03/09/steven-boyle-tusky
👉 Follow Us for More Short Film Greatness:
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ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#PhilDanivis #FelicityMontagu #dementia #alzheimers #rhubarb #drama #shortfilm
Rhubarb farmer Harry Bamford spent his working life growing and perfecting his prize-winning crop. Now, long retired and under the care of his struggling wife Joyce, Harry begins to experience vivid and disturbing hallucinations.
TUSKY is a short film from Writer-Director Steven Boyle. It stars BAFTA nominated actor Phil Davis (Vera Drake, Quadrophenia, Whitechapel, Slow Horses, True Love) and Felicity Montagu (I’m Alan Partridge, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Landscapers, Beyond Paradise)
TUSKY was produced by Nicola Dempsey through production company Little Battle.
🔔 Love indie films? SUBSCRIBE to Directors Notes for more trailblazing shorts: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
Tusky by Steven Boyle
instagram.com/steveyboyle_director/?hl=en
"My visual references were a strange mix of rhubarb, high-contrast cinematography and surrealism. I love the work of photographer Gregory Crewdson, the nocturnal weirdness of his Twilight series was a strong reference. In terms of specific film references, Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years shot by cinematographer Lol Crawley struck a chord visually and tonally, and two classic animated films When the Wind Blows and Watership Down were very influential.
When the Wind Blows is the story of Jim & Hilda an elderly couple living in rural England trying to survive a Nuclear attack. It’s a powerful film that evokes a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. When I was writing, I was trying to tap into a similar feeling, there’s definitely a bit of Jim & Hilda in Harry & Joyce. Watership Down is the less obvious reference. Gruesome rabbit-on-rabbit violence aside, it’s the pink sunsets and rural landscapes, and it’s beautifully melancholy. Also, there’s one iconic scene in that film that heavily informs a scene in Tusky but I won’t say which one."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Tusky with our exclusive interview with writer/director Steven Boyle
directorsnotes.com/2026/03/09/steven-boyle-tusky
👉 Follow Us for More Short Film Greatness:
Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
Podcast: pod.link/192507317
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#PhilDanivis #FelicityMontagu #dementia #alzheimers #rhubarb #drama #shortfilm
