From Grief to Inspiration
ROD WEBB talks to celebrated actor and comedian Steve Furst about how he came to direct a film about mental health
Last month, Steve Furst hosted an event at the Old Town’s Electric Palace cinema to launch a crowdfunder for his directorial debut, a documentary exploring loss, male mental health and recovery based in a garden in Hastings. But as he explained, what led to this was more “happenstance” than any clear decision on his part.
A photo of Glenn taken during filming
Steve is best known for his roles in Little Britain and Matilda the Musical, and as the face of former mobile network, Orange. He told me he had never directed before and had never set out to direct. He explained: “It was my vision to make the documentary, so it seemed only natural that I would direct it.” He does, however, acknowledge his reliance on experienced producer and director Rhys James to realise his vision.
The film, A Garden in Hastings, was inspired by local ‘character’ Glenn Veness, who had channeled all his energy into reviving his once celebrated garden following the tragic death of his son, Luke, through suicide: a way of keeping his son’s memory alive and of staving off depression.
So how did the idea emerge? Step by step, it seems. Steve has known Glenn and his wife Kath for many years through their daughter Natasha. A former resident of Hastings, Steve is still a frequent visitor to the town and saw the impact of their son’s death and how Glenn’s struggle had led to his creation of a reimagined magical garden as a tribute.
This was the original inspiration for the film, he says. It was only when Glenn later started hosting sessions for Hastings Men’s Network that the focus on mental health emerged. Happenstance again.
As Rhys James explained at the Electric Palace launch: “The film intends to follow a year in the life of the garden and shine a light on male mental health and show how traditional stigmas of sharing feelings can be overcome.”
Glenn felt at the time that he and his wife had no support and there was nobody they could talk to about it. “We wanted to change that,” he says. “To be open about our loss so that it can help other people who are going through a difficult time.”
Then, just three months ago, Steve recounted how fate intervened once more “while I was chatting to my best mate in London”. His friend knew someone who had recently set up a charity, BEDER, in memory of his brother. Steve recounted how his friend told him: “You have to go and see him!” He did. BEDER is now partnering the project.
So let’s hope this article reaches similarly receptive people: the crowdfunder is still open with opportunities to become associate or special executive producers as well as obtaining unique art prints associated with this fascinating and important project. Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fund-our-documentary-on-mens-mental-health to find out more.
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