Why ‘the next Spielberg’ – the UK’s youngest film director, Elliott Hasler – is screening his films at Soneva Jani in the Maldives
He’s just 18, but UK film director Elliott Hasler could be the next Steven Spielberg. Meet him and learn from him at the Soneva Jani luxury resort in the Maldives
Want to learn from an established film director while staying at a luxury resort?
Soneva Jani in the Maldives is to host Elliott Hasler, the youngest feature film director in the UK and pegged by some to be the next Steven Spielberg.
Hasler, 18, will screen three of his films Charlie’s Letters, To Hunt a Tiger and Nootau during his stay from July 1 to 7 at Soneva Jani’s Cinema Paradiso, the Maldives’ first overwater cinema.
The latter two films aren’t released until later and next year, making Soneva Jani the first public screening of Hasler’s films.
During his week-long visit, Hasler is to shoot a short two-minute story about the resort, while hosting a dinner and conducting a mobile video shooting workshop for guests.
To Hunt a Tiger is a short film featuring John Locke (Darkest Hour, The Favourite) and Charlotte Peters (Pound of Flesh, Interlude in Prague). The film depicts love, loss and adventure in the British Raj, during the early 20th century in India. The original score is by Emmy Award Winning composer, Daniel Clive McCallum. The feature was shot in Sri Lanka.
Hasler heads Relsah Productions, an independent production company based in Brighton, which offers feature films and documentaries for cinema and television.
His next project Vindication Swim is a feature film based on the true story of swimmer Mercedes Gleitze. It is set in the 1920s when she was forced to battle the Channel Swimming Association to retain her record and legacy as being the first English woman to swim the English Channel.
Soneva Jani can be reached in 45 minutes by seaplane flight from Malé International Airport, which operates between 7am and 4.30pm. The last seaplane passengers need to arrive in Male by 3.30pm. Alternatively, a 60-minute speedboat ride from Soneva Fushi is available, or a half-day cruise from Soneva Fushi on board the Soneva in Aqua.
Original article published on South China Morning Post (Jun 28, 2019)
