There is a stereotype around “student films’’ which has been used all too often to undermine the creativity of a film based on who made it and the resources they had. Someone may hear that a film has been made by students and assume that it is going to be low quality, for reasons which can include low budget, limited resources, time constraints, or creative influences.

Sweet Cicely is a great example of a film created by students that is completely original, and is able to break away from that student film stereotype. The camera and sound quality of Sweet Cicely feels professional, the introduction to the film takes place in a scenic location, and as I followed the story I did not feel like I was watching a student film, but instead a film that had been made by a number of creative people with a clear passion for both filmmaking and storytelling. 

As I watched Sweet Cicely, I was reminded of how much you can do with a small budget. This project had a budget of under £500, raised with the help of friends and family. While it is nowhere near the budget of a Hollywood film, it allowed these filmmakers to do a lot in their exploration of location, wardrobe, and props, which really elevate the finished product.

As mentioned above, Sweet Cicely is completely original, in both its story and musical soundtrack. There is a stereotype with student films that they all follow a similar genre (coming-of-age stories, horror) – however, Sweet Cicely’s story is unique and completely dreamt up by the creators. The introduction to the film shows a short statement in reference to the ‘Broederskap Revolution’, which was imagined just for this project, and emphasizes the film’s creativity and worldbuilding. Creating a film is not just about shooting great visuals, but the way that the story supports it too, and Sweet Cicely does an excellent job as we follow two characters walking through stunning scenery with a range of camera angles, making great use of the locations featured.

The story of Sweet Cicely follows two characters who are living throughout a significant political struggle – but the story makes it clear that the characters we follow are not interested in the struggle going on around them, and are instead attempting to find a way out together. It is evident through both the dialogue and the acting that while the characters are not interested in the political struggle, it does not mean it hasn’t had an impact on them.

As I watched Sweet Cicely, I found the scene with the two characters sitting around the fire having a conversation about dreams to be my favourite part. This scene emphasises the sense of longing the characters have, in the way they communicate with each other as they discuss a ‘dream house’. While this is a lighthearted conversation, the acting in this scene that is reflected through facial expressions creates a melancholy feeling. It is very clear that despite this film being created by students (and non-film students at that), the passion and creativity are what carry this film to break free from the student stereotype, where one might expect both story and acting to be amateur.

As I watched the film, I felt inspired by those both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. There is a significant amount of detail that has been put in place for this film to be the high standard that it is – by producing their own music, writing their own story, and creating it all alongside their degrees. I find Sweet Cicely a great example for both film students and non-film students to go ahead and produce their own short films, as this project highlights what having a genuine passion for storytelling and filmmaking can produce. 

Sweet Cicely is a student film that shows a high level of skill and passion. I would encourage any student looking to gather a group of friends and create their own film to give Sweet Cicely a watch, not only for enjoyment but also to see what can be made during university with a budget of under £500. 

Chloe McGill

Watch Sweet Cicely on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IlwOte9L-ns