Lying on a bed of taboo, a young couple in a remote French village test the boundaries of their relationship.

The director, Terry, already had a composer in mind for this film, but I was so impressed by the script that I decided to pitch an idea for the lead character’s theme, just in case it could change his mind. To my luck, he loved it, and I’ve now had the pleasure of collaborating with Terry and becoming close friends.

Terry is very specific in his ideas - not restricting the composer in any way but having a very clear idea of the emotional intent.
He said: “I want something dark and romantic here, soft keys, weightless - they are on drugs and so their inhibitions are removed. I imagine an electric guitar implemented in that too. Something that feels a little rebellious. Sitting on top of a romantic synth arrangement. Maybe even some orchestral elements in there, a female choir chant hiding amidst the arrangement, just to give it that very slight gothic feel. Very ambient and dreary to represent the mind state and the melodies should reflect the emotions or mood - Love and shame…” and this is what I came up with.

The themes and imagery used in With Love, My Darling are powerful and rich - shame, the sense of feeling underwater, passion, lust and even rage. For the cue Memories I wanted to capture the sense of a daydream, as if it were a Summer vacation where everything felt perfect but hazey.

I felt a lot of pain and rage in Jean-Paul’s character. Justine is leaving him for the big smoke and he doesn’t have anything else in his life going for him. He was a polarising character - at times charming, funny and kind and at others jealous, frustrated and full of anger.

I love the opportunity to composer diagetic music and the cue Alesia Dance comes at a moment where everything falls apart for Justine, Jean-Paul and Alesia. Written as if it were a radio track, I collaborated with Lu Johnson to create a romantic, feminine and retro song.

Directed, written and produced by Terry Sam Jr.

Selected into London Short Film Festival.