“Brutal”
SAFF 2022 Award Winner
Brutal is a surrealist, psychological thriller that focuses on a young mother named Maya. Set in a bleak, menacing, nightmarish tower-block, Brutal addresses the consequences of systematic societal shame brought upon women who are faced with the decision of bringing an unwanted child that has been conceived non-consensually into the world and the subsequent inner turmoil that proceeds it.
Director Biography
Jordan Chandler is a British-Lebanese film director based in London, known for her unapologetic and emotionally charged approach to filmmaking. Her work blends bold, quirky visuals with deeply resonant narratives, creating a unique aesthetic that pushes boundaries. After graduating with a BA in Performance Design and Practice from Central Saint Martins, Jordan wrote and directed award-winning live performances showcased in London, Edinburgh, New York, and Adelaide.
Transitioning to film, she completed her MA in Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School, where her debut short film was nominated for Best UK Short at the Raindance Film Festival. With a focus on the female experience, Jordan’s art reflects a fearless, authentic perspective, inviting audiences into an immersive world where complexity and raw emotion meet vibrant, unorthodox storytelling. Driven by a deep passion for her craft, she continues to create work that challenges, inspires, and leaves a lasting impact
Director’s Statement
Brutal emerged from a haunting series of repetitive dreams that gripped my mind over the course of three months. In these dreams, I would forget that I had given birth to a baby, desperately searching for it, compelled by the instinct to nurture. This recurring nightmare laid bare my deepest fears of inadequacy as a mother, exposing a vulnerability rooted in my own experiences and those of my mother.
Acknowledging this fear, which has been deeply ingrained in my being, I decided to honour it and reclaim the narrative. I sought to blend genre and surrealism, creating a tumultuous emotional journey that delves into the traumas and experiences that have shaped my identity. Through surreal and conceptual storytelling, I aim to protect and celebrate the woman I love most in this world—my mother.
Brutal serves as a love letter—a testament to understanding responsibility and forgiveness. It is a tribute to my mother and to all women grappling with the burdens of motherhood, who struggle to connect with their maternal instincts and often find their identities overshadowed by the label of “mother.” In a society steeped in misogyny and patriarchy, where women’s experiences and struggles are often minimised, I wanted to amplify their voices.
The tower block in the film symbolises the weight of years of repressed trauma, culminating in a moment where the mother confronts the daunting reality of nurturing a child. It represents the oppressive structures that have historically silenced women, leaving them to wrestle with their fears and doubts in isolation.
Women are truly incredible, and through my brutally surrealist lens, I honour their resilience. I aim to shed light on their struggles, bravery, and the complexities of their identities. Brutal is not just a film; it is a call to recognise and respect the profound emotional landscapes women navigate daily. In creating this work, I hope to inspire a dialogue about the societal pressures that shape our perceptions of motherhood and the women who embody it.