Sarah

(2022) Narrative short, 10 minutes
An abstract portrait, based on a true story, of a young woman experiencing homelessness on the streets of Hamilton, Ontario.

Featuring: Kit Simmons, Marilo Nuñez, Joe Amero, Esther Huh
Produced & Directed by Peter Riddihough
Screenplay by Peter Riddihough
Adapted from "Conversations Around a Table" by Kelly Wolf
Based on "Tree of Stars" by Jessica Compton

Official Selection:

2022 Forest City Film Festival, London, Ontario
2022 Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, Ottawa, Ontario
2022 Hamilton Film Festival, Hamilton, Ontario
2022 Canada Shorts Film Festival - Quarter Finalist
2022 Short To The Point Festival
2023 Milton Film Festival

About The Film

Sarah reflects my desire to make films about subjects and issues that concern me, particularly issues within the city and community in which I live. For many years I have worked as a professional videographer for not-for-profit and social service agencies in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area. That work has given me a small insight into the complex issues of poverty, addiction and homelessness and their frequent links to childhood trauma.

Sarah is based upon a true story, the lived experience of a young woman who was ultimately able to find the help that she needed to take control of her life. The screenplay was adapted from a short play created by Kelly Wolf and Open Hearts Arts Theatre, and performed by Kit Simmons. That piece was part of their ongoing work to engage with local community and create work with and about vulnerable, marginalized and often unhoused community members.

As a film Sarah is also an experiment in form. Through the use of first-person narration and the accelerated passage of time - we see events that take place over the course of a year – I attempted to make the film circular and non-linear. That idea was further reinforced with the use of single piece of music that cycles and repeats at the risk being repetitious.

Cast & Credits

Produced & Directed by Peter Riddihough
Screenplay by Peter Riddihough
Adapted from "Conversations Around a Table" by Kelly Wolf
Based on "Tree of Stars" by Jessica Compton

Featuring: Kit Simmons, Marilo Nuñez, Joe Amero, Esther Huh
Additional Cast: Jessica Leitch, Ronya Othman, Emma Riddihough, Stella Riddihough

Director of Photography: Peter Riddihough
Costume Designer: Kelly Wolf
Music Composed & Performed by S.G. Sinnicks
Sound Designer: Charles Tilden
Editor: Peter Riddihough
Production Manager: David Fernandes
Assistant Director: David Fernandes
Sound Recordist: Charles Tilden
Assistant Camera: Jamie Bailey
Continuity: Anusree Roy
Production Assistant / Grip: Jamie Bailey
Production Assistant / Grip: Colin Baxter

Filmed on location in Hamilton, Ontario.
Produced by Hoffworks Productions
Funded by The Ontario Arts Council