Summer Came Early

1 Writer

Additional Project Info

Summer Came Early has been awarded a Barcelona Crea Grant from the Barcelona City Council. It has also received an Ignite Fund through the University of Westminster. The script was selected for a residency at the Centre for Art and Nature in Farrera, where it was mentored by Arnau Vilaró, screenwriter of 'Alcarràs' (2022). This project stems from my experience with cancer at the age of 20, a pivotal moment in my life when I spent almost a year undergoing various treatments and surgeries. As a filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to address this subject and shed light on a life experience that is uncommon among young people. With this film, I aim to achieve four main objectives: 1. To offer a different representation of cancer from the convention in film and television. The way this illness is typically portrayed tends to focus on surgeries, chemotherapy, and other medical treatments. However, there are many other equally important, yet more subtle, aspects that often go unrepresented. 2. To highlight the reality of life after cancer. The journey back to normality and the potential long-term effects are rarely explored. Even after a full recovery, this return is not without difficulties, emotional highs and lows, and lasting impacts on one’s mental state and personal relationships. 3. To explore the side effects of treatment on intimacy, desire, and romantic relationships. Physical changes such as hair loss, weight loss, or skin conditions can affect how patients perceive themselves as desirable. Additionally, treatments can have a direct physical impact on sexuality and mental health, influencing libido and the ability to feel desire. Navigating this situation as a couple can be challenging, especially as it is a topic that is rarely discussed openly and has little representation. 4. To convey a message of hope. For me, it was essential that the relationship between Èric and Max had a happy ending and could continue. The turning point in the story comes when Èric finally finds the courage to admit that he does not feel desire. I did not want a resolution focused on them eventually being intimate, but rather one that emphasised a different reality. We live in a society where sexuality is often portrayed from a singular perspective, overlooking diverse experiences. With the ending of the short film, I want to highlight a relationship in which, due to health reasons, sexuality is temporarily absent, but their connections remains just as valid. To request the full script or pitch deck, please contact mail@miquel.uk and I will get back to you shortly. You can also find more information on my website https://miquel.uk/portfolio/lestiu-va-arribar-aviat.