‘The idea for the film goes back about four years, right back to lockdown,’ said Josh, who is based in Brighton.
‘The story follows a wizard named Sarre who is in the possession of Le Petit Albert, a spell book known as a ‘grimoire’, which contains ‘symbols, incantations, charms and instructions for invocations and the making of amulets, enormously popular in France throughout the 18th and 19th centuries’.
A local rector hears he has a copy and visits him, warning him off the dark side of the book, or else the devil will prevail.
‘Sarre tries to bury the book on a beach, but it appears on his table when he gets home. He tries to burn it and the same happens. Every time he tries to get rid of it something bad happens. It’s a very visual, very cinematic story.’
Watch the teaser for Albert
Le Petit Albert can be viewed by request at the Priaulx Library and one is featured in Guernsey Museum’s local folklore exhibition.
The book for the film was painstakingly recreated for the film by Sycamore Bookbinding, which also restores the island’s archives. Four copies were made for filming, but only two remain, with the others burned during filming.
The two main leads are Guernsey-based, Jersey-born, actor James Howard, who plays the righteous rector John Petit. Best known for his portrayal of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on London’s West End stage, he also starred in the feature film Survivor (2015) with Pierce Brosnan and Milla Jovovich.
Alongside the rector is the film’s lead character, Sarre, portrayed by Cameron Ashplant, known for Marooned Awakening and the upcoming Whispers Of Freedom.
‘I know Roger and Frances Le Tissier of Ivy Gate Films and they have worked with Cameron before. They were singing his praises and they introduced him to me. I thought “There’s something about this guy”. I had envisaged Sarre to be older, but after meeting Cameron I thought it could be a much younger guy. Cameron looks like the quintessential, rugged Guernseyman.
‘James got in touch after we announced we were making the film on Radio Guernsey. He said “I’m a local actor, I’ve just been on the West End playing Malfoy”. So he was a professional actor, on island and he can play a dark menacing figure. It all started to click.
Filming took place in Guernsey last October.
‘We shot at different locations,’ said Joshua. ‘Mont Herault watch house in Torteval for the exterior shots and a cottage in the Vale which acted as a double of the watch house for interior shots. So, from the north of the island all the way to the south coast.’
Albert comes after Joshua’s two previous shorts, Plant Life and Encounter, which were screened at the Guernsey Film Fest in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Plant Life won the festival’s Audience Award in 2022 and Encounter was the Best Film winner for Brighton during the city’s 48 Hour Film Project competition in 2023. The film went on to screen in Lisbon in 2024’s Filmapalooza festival with more than 100 films from around the world.
Albert is currently being submitted to UK and international film festivals.
‘We always wanted the film to have a festival presence. It’s an ambition of mine to tap into as many island communities as possible, to spread our island culture. So we’re submitting the film to UK festivals, the Cork Film Festival in Ireland and the Sundance Film Festival.
‘The first look at the film comes in a short teaser created from the production rushes. The clip celebrates the hard work of the cast and crew made up of Guernsey locals, travelling crew from the UK and returning islanders and it offers a glimpse into the many striking scenes and complex set-ups from the shoot, the film’s cast and its historic island locations.’
Albert was made possible through a grant from Guernsey Arts, support from Ivy Gate Films and sponsorship from Visit Guernsey, Condor Ferries and Pandora Hotel, who contributed to the crew’s travel and accommodation. Guernsey Museums and private landowners generously donated locations, and the Guernsey Folk Museum lent historical props.
‘We’ll be following up the teaser with a proper trailer and screening details,’ said Joshua. ‘We’re hoping to do an October screening in Guernsey.’
The production is currently seeking sponsors to support its final post-production costs, festival submissions and upcoming screenings. For enquiries, contact thefilmalbert@gmail.com and follow @LeFilmAlbert on Instagram for news and updates.
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