Filming took place in Manningtree last week for a feature documentary film about women from Essex. 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.
The dictionary definition is Essex Girl (noun) a young woman from Essex… vulgar, empty headed and promiscuous.
South Essex film makers, Blatella Films, are producing the film with a targeted cinema release of Autumn 2026.
The film will feature women from across the county expressing their thoughts and experiences with the stereotype and highlight the various women and groups challenging it.
Amongst the ladies filmed at Navistitch on Manningtree High Street was Ambitious Women in Essex founder, Eve Calderbank. When asked about her thoughts on why it’s important to highlight the achievements of Essex women for the next generation she told Natalie Scarsbrook, the film’s director:
“It’s important to show them the history of the place they live in, and Essex has a history of strong women.”
Other interviewees included filmmaker Angie Darling-Baby, Burlesque dance school founder Hayley Russell and writer Seona Sherry-Brennan. Another interviewee was Neurodevelopment Specialist Sue Cook, who has lived across the county throughout her life. Sue said:
“It’s hard when faced with the stereotype because you feel the more you argue with it, the more you condemn yourself.”
The film explores the history of persecution towards women in the county of Essex, ranging from the Essex witch Trials of the 1500s to present day, where the term ‘Essex Girl’ still features in multiple dictionaries with derogatory descriptions.
Filmmaker Natalie Scarsbrook, in a recent post on social media, explained why now is the time to make this film she said:
“It’s important to tell women’s stories because they are still an underrepresented facet of society in things live TV, cinema etc. and so as a female filmmaker it’s been an honour to go on this journey of telling so many women’s stories in one film.”
