Jellyfish is a British drama film directed by James Gardner, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in 2018. The film stars Liv Hill as Sarah Taylor, Sinead Matthews as her mother Karen, Cyril Nri as her drama teacher Mr. Hale and Angus Barnett as Alan, Sarah's boss.
The movie showcases the struggles of Sarah, a 15-year-old girl who feels lost and alone in the seaside town of Margate. She is an aspiring writer and has a passion for drama, but her life is filled with challenges. Her mother Karen is unable to get out of bed, putting Sarah in charge of taking care of her younger siblings, Lily and Ben. She also works part-time as a waitress at a beachfront cafe run by Alan, who exploits her by making her clean up the toilets and serve rude customers.
Sarah's life changes when Mr. Hale, her drama teacher, sees potential in her and offers her a scholarship to join a drama class that he is teaching. Sarah initially hesitates due to her responsibilities at home, but eventually joins the class and finds a new sense of purpose and belonging. With Mr. Hale's guidance, she discovers a talent for acting and writing and becomes more confident in herself.
The film also deals with themes of social inequality, mental health, and bullying. Sarah is often subjected to bullying by a group of girls at school, who make fun of her clothes and her family situation. She also feels isolated due to her mother's depression, which makes it difficult for her to connect with other people.
Overall, Jellyfish is a poignant and powerful film that highlights the struggles of ordinary people and the transformative power of art. The film received critical acclaim for its performances, particularly that of Liv Hill, who won the Best Actress award at the British Independent Film Awards.
