IMAGINARY FRIENDS
Exploring the childhood phenomenon of Imaginary Friends this film is an entertaining eye-opener into an area many adults have forgotten about- the imagination.
As the children’s parents try to come to terms with this stage of childhood four children film and interact with their imaginary friends.
Like more than a quarter of pre-school children, Amelia has an imaginary friend. In fact, imaginary friends are so common among under-fives that psychologists consider then a normal part of development.
Mile’s imaginary friend is Mr. Fudge Eater, a small greyish-brown furry creature with a long tail who runs two antique shops that are under the settee in the lounge.
In contrast to the children, the film includes Dorothy. A lady now in her seventies but with clear and fond memories of her imaginary friend Lucy. “I could hear the pitta patter of her feet on the floor,” Dorothy says. The imaginary friend is always there. You don’t ever forget.”
REVIEWS
JANE SHILLING MAIL ON SUNDAY
“For a really enchanting view of a director fully engaged with the hearts and minds of the people he is filming, do not miss Picture This: Imaginary Friends
THE TIMES
“A captivating journey into the wonderland of pre-school children, populated by such invisible but sharply imagined companions as Tiptoes the mouse.”
VANESSA – THE VANESSA SHOW
“A fascinating and truly captivating program”
WOMAN’S HOUR – RADIO 4
“A unique film which takes us into the wonderful world of childhood”
OMER ALI – TIME OUT
“There’s a very real sense of poignancy at the program’s end when Leigh announces that his dragons are going away”
VANE EDNA POTTERSMAN – THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
“Stuart Napier lends a discreet ear to some endearing individuals as they describe magic moments invisible to all but themselves”
ROBIN ASKEW – VENUE MAGAZINE
“A stylish new film by Stuart Napier for the BBC’s Picture This series”
JAMES WALTON – THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
“Imaginary Friends, a charming film which confirms how fanciful children can be.”
PRESS
RADIO TIMES
VENUE MAGAZINE
TIME MAGAZINE
Crew
Production Assistant – Suzie Sampson
Production Manager – Judy Andrews
Dubbing Editor – Jessica Merritt
Dubbing Mixer – Peter Davies
Online Editor – Steve Olive
Camera – Matt Norman
Researcher – Patsy Titcomb
Editor – Stuart Napier
Director – Stuart Napier
Executive Producer for BBC – Peter Symes
The Unseen Playmate by Robert Louis Stevenson
When children are playing alone on the green,
In comes the playmate that never was seen.
When children are happy and lonely and good,
The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.
Nobody heard him, and nobody saw,
His is a picture you never could draw,
But he’s sure to be present, abroad or at home,
When children are happy and playing alone.
He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,
He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;
Whene’er you are happy and cannot tell why,
The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!
He loves to be little, he hates to be big,
‘T is he that inhabits the caves that you dig;
‘T is he when you play with your soldiers of tin
That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.
‘T is he, when at night you go off to your bed,
Bids you go to sleep and not trouble your head;
For wherever they’re lying, in cupboard or shelf,
‘T is he will take care of your playthings himself