Château Secrets
Château Secrets
In the shadow of war-torn France, lawyer, novelist, and socialite Jeanne Loviton enlists the help of a young resistance archivist to smuggle forbidden films and poetry away from German capture, but as the ghosts of betrayal resurface, her motivations come into question.
Château Secrets
Format: Short Film (12–15 minutes)
Director: Joe Street
Based on the story by: Roy W. Brown
Email: joe@filmbeduer.com
Phone: +44 7775518188
Visual & Tonal Style
Cinematography: Low-key, stormy lighting with natural practicals (candles, lanterns) to emphasize mystery and suspense.
Palette: Muted earth tones, greys, and blues to evoke war-time France; selective warm tones for intimate moments.
Camera Movement: Handheld for underground/tension sequences; slow tracking for château interiors; static compositions for poetic tableaux.
Mood: Suspenseful, reflective, intimate, with moments of stark horror and quiet poetry.
Key Characters
Jeanne Loviton (40s): Elegant, enigmatic, morally ambiguous, protector of secrets.
Félix Le Doux (mid-30s): Young, principled, torn between duty, fear, and fascination with Jeanne.
Lotte Eisner (20s): Jewish girl, fragile yet resilient, symbolizing hope and innocence amid war.
Locations
Château: Library, attic, hidden passages.
Farmhouse: Safe house for Lotte.
Village Streets: Border checkpoints and military truck scenes.
Countryside Roads: Dawn escape sequences.
Marketing & Festival Strategy
Target Tier-One Festivals: Sundance, Clermont-Ferrand, Tribeca, Venice Shorts, BAFTA-Qualifying UK Festivals.
Tier-Two Festivals: Encounters, Raindance, Paris Courts Devant.
Niche/Thematic Festivals: Jewish, WWII, literary/poetry-focused festivals.
Press Kit: Logline, synopsis, director’s statement, high-res stills, teaser.
Director’s Vision
Secrets d’un Château is based on a book written by my grandfather, Roy W Brown, about true historical events that took place in a chateau he used to own in the village of Béduer, southern France. It is an incredibly powerful story about individuals standing up for what's right and giving people the power to understand all sides of an argument before making judgement, something which I feel is critical now more than ever at a time where misinformation is ever present. Though the person at the centre of it all, Jeanne Loviton, is dealing with personal issues of insecurity, validation and a seeming lack of self-worth, her place within a community that wants peace and comfort mirrors the hectic nature of so many lives in modern day society, particularly in the western world where things appear to be regressing. Our plan is to turn this into a feature length film which focuses on the romantic relationship between Jeanne Loviton and Paul Valéry, and on the murder of Robert DeNoel. This story means a lot to me because it all took place in an incredible family home that I was privileged enough to holiday at each year as a child. It’s a film which I’d love to sit down and watch with my grandfather while I still have the opportunity.
Visual References
Stormy European landscapes and château architecture.
Candlelit interiors reminiscent of WWII-era European films.
Close-ups on hands, letters, and film reels to highlight tactile history.
Subtle visual motifs referencing Valéry’s poetry (wind, pages turning, shadows.)