Christmas, 1978 | Lara Fullalove gets real with family tensions
Christmas is a time for reflection. New flick Christmas 1978, from writer director Lara Fullalove, is a short social realist drama film that delves into themes such as family, religion, working-classness, and queerness, all wrapped up in the rural setting of Devon in the 1970s.
On track to film in early February, with the crowdfunder building up momentum, Christmas, 1978 is Lara’s final project at the end of her Film Practice BA at the University of the Arts London.
Passion
Lara says her passion for film grew from studying Film and Video A’ Level at Exeter College, but the roots are much deeper.
“My love for film stemmed from my Grandad,” Lara tells D&CFilm. “He bought me my first small camcorder when I was very young, and myself and my brother would film silly movies in the garden and around the house.
Dramatic, powerful, and versatile
“Growing up in a small town meant there wasn’t a lot of stimulation for me, and I yearned for the dramatic, powerful, and versatile lives of the characters I saw in the films my mum and dad would show me.”
This was combined with Lara’s writing, creating worlds that stemmed from her own experiences, which pointed to the direction of screenwriting as a way for her to express her past in a creative and nuanced way.
Christmas, 1978 takes place during the the lead up to Christmas, when a father’s relationship with his son is put under pressure.
British Social Realism
The inspiration for the style comes from British Social Realism.
“Christmas, 1978 is largely inspired by the work of Ken Loach and his slow reactive camera movements that really capture the lives of working-class people and often their oppressive environments,” says Lara.
“Myself and the DOP are also heavily inspired by the work of Andrea Arnold with her cinematographer Robbie Ryan in her film Wuthering Heights and her ability to capture the beautiful, visceral, and emotiveness of nature, which we hope to encapsulate when filming on the moors.”
Lara is currently working on a documentary project with director/ producer Jes Benstock. Christmas, 1978 is going to be her biggest project yet.
Back home
The film will be shot in Broadhempston, Bovey Tracey and Dartmoor (specifically Hound Tor and Haytor).
“I’m bringing it back to my hometown after living in London for three years to connect back to my roots and more importantly my family.”
Support the crowdfunder for Christmas 1978, from writer director Lara Fullalove. And keep your eyes out for it next year
- Rael’s Way release - October 14, 2026
- A utopia for film peeps | Exmouth Film Festival - October 13, 2026
- Cinema heritage with a community focus | Paignton Picture House - October 12, 2026
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