OKRE connects the film, TV, and gaming industries with researchers and lived experience to create entertainment that sparks real social change

About Us

OKRE is a catalyst for entertainment content challenging misleading perceptions.
Find out more

OKRE Fund Case Study: The Ceremony

The Ceremony shows us how a clash over stolen property and a tragic death can unite two unlikely men on an emotional journey across Yorkshire. Together, they search for a fitting burial place, creating a captivating and poignant journey through the landscape. The film won the inaugural Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence at the 2024 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“Two migrant workers find themselves thrown together in a quest to bury a body in this hypnotic and visually stunning drama. A fight over stolen property and a tragic death brings together two very different men for a hypnotic and moving odyssey across the Yorkshire landscape in search of a suitable burial place. Beautifully directed and performed and shot in stark black and white with a vivid sense of visual splendour, this humane and moving film packs quite the emotional punch.”

Paul Ridd

CEO & Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival

COLLABORATION

How did OKRE support collaboration?

OKRE was able to assist the filmmakers collaborative work with those with lived experience of migration. We supported their work consulting with local charities and migrant communities, that significantly shaped the film’s development.

Director and writer Jack King and producer Lucy Meer worked closely with the migrant community, collaborating with charities like Christians Against Poverty, Bradford Central Foodbank and Salahdin Mosque. OKRE was drawn to supporting the team at The Ceremony as their goal was to capture the real-life struggles and attitudes of migrant workers. OKRE helped to support the team in conducting interviews and holding workshops to gather authentic stories.

LIVED EXPERIENCE

How did lived experience improve The Ceremony's authenticity?

Traditional Food

  • One of the outcomes from the OKRE-funded collaborations was the film’s depiction of traditional Romanian food.
  • During a workshop, Romanian cast members expressed a preference for cooking a traditional dish, which was then beautifully woven into the film.
  • This detail not only added cultural authenticity but also highlighted the profound importance of food in the lives of the characters.

Traditional Burial Practices

  • The film’s portrayal of burial practices was another aspect refined through this collaborative approach.
  • Initially, the film depicted a Western-style burial position, but feedback from a migrant cast member led to it being revised to accurately reflect the Muslim practice of laying the body on its right side, facing Mecca.
  • This change was crucial in honouring the characters’ deep respect for their cultural and religious practices.

Musical choices

  • Feedback from those with lived experience on the film’s music also played a vital role, ensuring the soundtrack set the right cultural tone and mood from the start. 🎶

Improvisational Direction

Jack King’s improvisational approach to directing allowed the mix of professional actors and migrant participants to bring a wealth of personal experiences to their roles.

  • This enriched the film’s narrative, making the characters’ experiences and interactions feel even more real and relatable.

AWARDS

Sean Connery Prize at Edinburgh International Film Festival

  • Winning the inaugural Sean Connery Prize at Edinburgh International Film Festival is a testament to the power of the collaborative approach taken by the team at The Ceremony.
  • Here at OKRE, we are incredibly proud to have supported the project and to have contributed to its success.
  • Congratulations to Jack King, Lucy Meer and everyone involved in this beautiful production.
  • Their commitment to authenticity and thoughtful storytelling has been and will continue to be rightfully recognised! 🌟

Interested in applying for OKRE Funding?

At OKRE, we believe in the power of storytelling to drive social impact. Our mission is to connect the entertainment industry with researchers and lived experience to create content that inspires change and offers genuine insights into real-world issues, without losing that all-important enjoyment factor.

All projects must involve creative collaboration. Strong projects involve creatives working with someone from another sector or community i.e. researchers, people with lived experience or charities working with producers or entertainment professionals.

Related Articles