Stepping into the chic Sanderson Hotel in the heart of London’s West End, I was greeted by a glass of champagne and a room full of film industry moguls. As an aspiring screenwriter, this was my idea of heaven.
I took a moment to take it all in: the actors, the producers, the glitz, the glam, the indescribable buzz. I knew this would be an epic summer party, a glorious celebration of film.
Who is Ascendent Fox?
Image courtesy of Getty Images
The party’s host, Ascendant Fox, is an independent production company and the brainchild of Bart Ruspoli and Hester Ruoff.
After working on the BAFTA-nominated Boiling Point, they merged their companies, Ascendent Films and Burton Fox Films, to create Ascendent Fox in 2021.
Through powerful storytelling, the BAFTA and BIFTA nominated duo seek to create “ambitious quality films that push the limits of genre”.
Boiling Point: The One Take Wonder
Image courtesy of Ascendant Fox
The single-take film Boiling Point thrusts you into the high-stress world of a fine dining kitchen, capturing in real time the escalating tensions and frayed nerves of those working in the service industry.
Stephen Graham, who stars as head chef Andy, is a ticking time bomb of repressed emotion and professional ambition, teetering on the edge as he navigates a chaotic dinner service, a health inspection, and a personal crisis all within the claustrophobic confines of his kitchen.
The film tackles themes of mental health, the culture of relentless perfectionism, and the often invisible labour that fuels our society. It’s an adrenaline-fuelled 92 minutes that has not only received critical acclaim but also sparked conversations about workplace stress and mental well-being.
As someone who has worked in restaurants for over 8 years, this was the film I needed in my life. It’s the perfect depiction of what it’s really like to work in the often-brutal service industry.
What’s Next for Ascendent Fox?
Image courtesy of Ascendant Fox
The ambiguous ending of the Boiling Point film left me and other millions of viewers hungry for answers. So when news dropped that a Boiling Point series was coming to our screens on 1st October, I was beyond excited.
The new series, which picks up between 6-8 months after the film ends, is set in an entirely new restaurant and allows us to explore the lives of each character in more depth. No spoilers, but let’s just say this: the series definitely lives up to the hype.
Ascendant Fox’s ambition to create epic films through the compelling art of storytelling speaks to me on so many levels. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
They put on a damn good summer party, too.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming release, Gassed Up, hitting UK theatres in February 2024.
And who knows, maybe I’ll get to work with them one day…The ultimate screenwriter’s dream!
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