Women from Uttlesford were interviewed at Saffron Walden Museum yesterday, as part of ongoing filming for the upcoming feature documentary film about the ‘Essex Girl’ stereotype. The film, Witchcraft & Stilettos: Redefining the Essex Girl Narrative is about exposing the impact the common stereotype has on women and girls from the county, and will premiere later this year, followed by screenings around Essex.
One of the women interviewed yesterday was Mikki Rom, from Rom Theatre Arts, who said of her feelings towards the stereotype of ‘Essex girls’:
“Its derogatory and needs to be taken out of the dictionary and Google. Essex women are entrepreneurs, fashionistas, grafters, and they love life. That’s what it needs to say.”
Amongst the interviewees were Museum Curator Jenny Oxley who told the filmmakers about the radical women of Saffron Walden walking art trail, Fashion Entrepreneur Mandy Weetch of NEONLEO, Business Coach Becky Benfield-Humberstone, Artist Jessica Pearce, and Film Producer Sam Brown.
Director of Witchcraft and Stilettos, Natalie Scarsbrook, said:
“The museum were incredible hosts to us, and as it was our first time in the town, it made a great impression on us.”
The film’s producer Ben Scarsbrook said:
“Discovering parts of the county we hadn’t previously visited has been one of the best parts of making this film. The experiences we’re hearing from women across Essex have been inspiring and highly motivational. The more women we interview, the more convinced we are that telling this story in film will be a success that will change how people view the county of Essex.”
Natalie added:
“We’re filming interviews with women from across Essex, of every age, every background and industry. We will be filming until the end of May this year, then heading into the edit suite.”
