Milk and Cookies
When Geoffrey, a doting husband and father, loses his wife he withdraws into the world of a child believing that Santa is real. With Christmas fast approaching there is a risk that there won’t be anything under the tree for his three children.
Director's Statement
During the various re-writes and false starts for this project, many people voiced concerns about the ability for an audience to believe that a grown man could believe in Santa. It is a testimony to Dave Lawson that he was able to leave you in no doubt that this man believes, but that you can also understand why. When Geoffrey breaks down he is not only grieving for the loss of his wife, but the loss of innocence. I experience that feeling, albeit to a much smaller degree, every Christmas Eve when I look into an empty sky.
The theme of grief and loss is a recurring one in my films, Milk and Cookies is no different. It is not just about the grief of a man who has lost his wife, it is also about the loss of childhood innocence and wonder.
As children, we accept what our parents tell us is gospel. They keep us safe and in return we trust them without question. But when that truth turns out to be a lie we may feel a sense of betrayal and embarrassment. It can be a painful growing experience, but it is what makes us adults.
In Milk and Cookies with Geoffrey’s wife gone he reverts back into the world of a child, a world that is safe and secure. But for Geoffrey there is no protection from the harsh realities of the world. Unable to function as a parent, his daughter must step in and make it right for everyone. Geoffrey’s moment of realisation is cathartic and something we can relate to, because we have all, at some point in our lives believed in something that is not real.
While these heavy concepts underpin the film I don’t enjoy sitting through a depressing, introspective about grief and loss. The film needed to have a comedic element and the choice of comedians for all of the key roles was critical. I was incredibly fortunate to have such a talented range of actors to bring the story alive.
Director's Statement
During the various re-writes and false starts for this project, many people voiced concerns about the ability for an audience to believe that a grown man could believe in Santa. It is a testimony to Dave Lawson that he was able to leave you in no doubt that this man believes, but that you can also understand why. When Geoffrey breaks down he is not only grieving for the loss of his wife, but the loss of innocence. I experience that feeling, albeit to a much smaller degree, every Christmas Eve when I look into an empty sky.
The theme of grief and loss is a recurring one in my films, Milk and Cookies is no different. It is not just about the grief of a man who has lost his wife, it is also about the loss of childhood innocence and wonder.
As children, we accept what our parents tell us is gospel. They keep us safe and in return we trust them without question. But when that truth turns out to be a lie we may feel a sense of betrayal and embarrassment. It can be a painful growing experience, but it is what makes us adults.
In Milk and Cookies with Geoffrey’s wife gone he reverts back into the world of a child, a world that is safe and secure. But for Geoffrey there is no protection from the harsh realities of the world. Unable to function as a parent, his daughter must step in and make it right for everyone. Geoffrey’s moment of realisation is cathartic and something we can relate to, because we have all, at some point in our lives believed in something that is not real.
While these heavy concepts underpin the film I don’t enjoy sitting through a depressing, introspective about grief and loss. The film needed to have a comedic element and the choice of comedians for all of the key roles was critical. I was incredibly fortunate to have such a talented range of actors to bring the story alive.
