A Director's Bold Bet: Funding a Film with a House
Kirk Jones, the director behind the film "I Swear," made a big decision. He and his wife used their house as a way to fund the movie. This gave him full control over the project.
The Risk and the Reward
They sold their home in Buckinghamshire and moved to Bristol. The film is based on the life of John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome. Jones wanted to keep the film true to Davidson's story, including the swearing that comes with the condition.
He thought that if he went the traditional route, someone might ask him to tone down the language. So, he and his wife decided to finance the film themselves. They even took out a loan to cover the entire budget.
Freedom in Filmmaking
Jones says that working on this film was different from his past experiences. He felt free to make the film he wanted, without outside interference.
The film has been nominated for several BAFTA awards, which is a big deal. Jones is happy with how things turned out. He even says he hasn't had any regrets.
Success and Future Plans
The film has done well at the UK box office. Jones is now working on a new project, but he says he won't be using his own money to fund it again. He compares it to betting on a horse. You might win, but you might also lose.
Jones is focusing on making British films and working with UK crews. He's not interested in going back to the US and dealing with the politics of Hollywood.
A Testament to Commitment
The film "I Swear" is a testament to Jones' commitment to telling important stories, even if it means taking a big risk.
