Healthcare
Public
Short film
Awareness
Background
Transformation.
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust (CWPT) is revolutionising mental health care through the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme (CMHTP). This programme addresses gaps in care for individuals with severe mental illnesses by offering integrated, community-based services that prioritise empathy and holistic understanding over rigid diagnostics. To communicate and celebrate this transformation, CMHTP partnered with BlueBell Films to create a film illustrating the initiative’s impact and human-centred approach.
Approach
Producer, Bhulla Beghal, built a deep connection with the CMHTP team through previous projects, inspiring him to go beyond conventional formats. Bhulla discovered Lee Holt, an Expert by Experience (EBE) who uses his journey through mental health challenges to improve services, has a talent for creative writing. Bhulla pitched working with Lee to develop a poem as the foundation of the film. Lee’s evocative words formed the narrative core, which Bhulla then visualised into a powerful, emotive film.
Poem
Lost in murky waters,
how did we become a forgotten victim?
We too are chained by the bureaucracy;
Powerless to a broken system.
The waiting lists, closed doors, and barriers.
We know you care, but there’s just no progression.
The red tape, paperwork, and lack of resource.
They limit us, but we’re brimming with compassion.
Are we truly in this together?
In this fight to survive?
No – of course, we are, we have to be!
Together we’re bold and strong and together we can thrive.
The transformation is the path forward.
With the power of our collective voice,
the future already looks brighter.
We have meaning, and hope, and choice.
Sometimes it only takes a gesture, a glimmer.
We stand united on the precipice of change.
A thought for what we’ve lost;
Hope for what we can gain.
Written by Lee Holt
Interpretation
Bhulla’s creative interpretation of Lee’s poem transformed it into a compelling narrative told in two acts. In the first act, Bhulla’s story portrays the parallel struggles of both a patient and a nurse. The patient’s world is depicted as slow and isolating, filled with moments of deep tension and hopelessness. In contrast, the nurse’s life is fast-paced and chaotic, defined by constant pressures and an overwhelming workload.
The film then transitions to a pivotal moment, where a new voice – the mediator – enters the story, symbolising the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme. This character bridges the divide between the patient and the nurse, acknowledging their shared struggles and offering a sense of resolution and hope. Bhulla’s storytelling approach allows the film to explore themes of empathy, change, and healing in a nuanced way, emphasising the transformative power of understanding and unity.
Collaboration
Bringing a fresh directorial perspective, Bhulla collaborated with Coventry-based director Jack Norris. Known for his raw and emotionally authentic storytelling, Jack enhanced the film’s realistic portrayal of mental health challenges. With award-winning cinematographer Tom Martin on board, the film achieved a stylised, moody aesthetic that juxtaposed the tension of mental health struggles with moments of hope and resolution.
Jack Norris
“The patient and the practitioner are two sides of the same coin, each fighting to survive in a broken system. The film openly portrays these challenges with realism and evolves into a hopeful resolution, visually and emotionally.”
Jack Norris, Director
Jack’s vision used contrasting camera techniques and music to heighten emotional impact. The film’s cinematic language evolved as the story progressed, culminating in a crescendo of hope and change.
Cast
ANTONIO AAKEEL
Antonio Aakeel is a British Actor best known for starring in the BAFTA and Emmy nominated series SLOW HORSES and the Netflix thriller I CAME BY. He led the award-winning comedy EATEN BY LIONS and was named a Screen International ‘Star of Tomorrow’ by Screen Daily. Antonio is a recipient of the EE ACTA Award for ‘Best Emerging Artist’.
TAMMY HEATH
With over two decades of experience in film, television, and theatre, Tammy Heath brings authenticity to her roles, drawing from her diverse background as a Royal Navy Medic, driving instructor, and crucially for this role, her current job as a registered nurse.
Production
The production was completed over two intensive days: one day filming in a house in the Black Country and the other in an NHS building in Coventry. Using an ARRI 35 camera with anamorphic lenses, the team employed distinct cinematographic techniques to emphasise the emotional states of the characters. The streamlined crew, led by Director of Photography Tom Martin, worked efficiently to capture the film’s contrasting tones while maintaining a professional yet collaborative atmosphere on set.
Voiceover
The voiceover in ‘Blue Beacon’ plays a crucial role in conveying the emotional depth and narrative arc of the film. Performed by Coventry-born actor Sachin K. Sharma, the voiceover was designed to be dynamic and emotive, embodying the poem’s three distinct tones of voice rather than simply reciting the words. Bhulla chose to use a single voice to add complexity and invite viewer interpretation, rather than taking the more literal approach of separate voices for the patient and nurse. Sachin’s performance brings a raw and authentic quality to the piece, adding layers of meaning and resonating deeply with the audience.
SACHIN K. SHARMA
Sachin K. Sharma is a Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduate. He has appeared in the BBC comedy series ‘Things You Should Have Done’ and ‘Strike’, based on J.K. Rowling’s novels. Sachin’s dynamic performances have earned him acclaim, including a win at the Coventry Monologue Slam, leading to the National Monologue Slam finals. His voice adds depth to the narrative in ‘Blue Beacon’.
Music and Colour
Birmingham-based composer Rupert Cole crafted a score that mirrors Blue Beacon’s two-act structure, beginning with tense, dissonant arrangements for the nurse’s scenes to convey urgency and stress, and slow, melancholic melodies for the patient, evoking isolation and hopelessness. As the story shifts toward hope and resolution, the music evolves into harmonious, uplifting themes, reinforcing unity and transformation.
Tom Alexander’s colour grading at Picture Shop in Soho deepens the emotional impact. Cool, muted blues and greys emphasise the nurse’s frantic world, while warm hues highlight the patient’s stagnation and inner struggle. As hope emerges, the colour palette becomes more balanced and harmonious, symbolising healing and a brighter future. This careful interplay of music and colour ensures the film’s emotional resonance with viewers.
Impact
“The contrast between the overwhelming silence of a person needing help and the frantic pace of a staff member is the exact contrast we wanted to capture.”
Community Mental Health Transformation Programme Team
Blue Beacon has been praised for authentically representing the challenges faced by both patients and practitioners, sparking meaningful conversations about empathy and reform in mental health care. By highlighting real experiences, the film resonates deeply, inspiring engagement and understanding.
This Midlands-based creative collaboration exemplifies the power of emotive storytelling, driving positive change and showcasing the region’s talent in impactful filmmaking.
Credits
Producer & Storywriter: Bhulla Beghal
Director: Jack Norris
Poet: Lee Holt
Director of Photography: Tom Martin
CAST
Antonio Aakeel as The Patient
Tammy Heath as The Nurse
Voiceover: Sachin K. Sharma
PRODUCTION
Camera Assistant: Lewis Morgan
Spark: Michael Connell
3rd Assistant Director: Ambika Sharma
POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Bhulla Beghal
Music Composer: Rupert Cole
Colourist: Tom Alexander, Picture Shop
Digital Intermediate Consultant: Elliot Whitehead
Filmed in the Black Country and Coventry
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust
Community Mental Health Transformation Programme Team
All Expert by Experience Participants
Picture Shop Soho