Director's Works
Cuerpos Reiff Gaskell
Reiff Gaskell is a Scottish director & writer based between Aberfeldy & London developing bold, international co-productions alongside documentaries with global, community-led mental health movements.
Raised in Scotland with time spent between Bangladesh and Australia, his work explores cultural intersections and human contradictions – the grey between black and white. Especially drawn to tense drama & chaotic thrillers in politically charged settings, he tells grounded, character-led stories with global resonance. Reiff earned his BA in Film and TV production at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before working his way up in post-production in commercials & branded content in London. He recently graduated from the highly selective National Film and Television School where he was awarded an MA in Directing Fiction with a scholarship from Creative Scotland. His award-winning shorts have been selected to screen internationally across OSCAR, BAFTA, BIFA & GOYA-qualifying festivals and been featured by Director’s Notes. His latest project 'Cuerpos' won a Young Director Award at this years Cannes Lions, the IMDb New Filmmaker Award at the Bath Film Festival, Best British Film at the Foyle Film Festival and Best Director at Aesthetica Film Festival.
Directors UK Associate Member
‘Cuerpos’ is an all student production of the National Film & Television School, entirely shot on location in a remote corner of Spain. A kitchen-sink tragedy set against the backdrop of fascism, it is a meditation on the choices people make when the world leaves them none.
Over 40 members of the local community of San Martín de Trevejo participated in bringing this project to life. Remote locations, total street lock-offs, extravagant sets, tractors, a horse, donkeys & authentic props - all usually reserved for big productions - we sourced there on a student budget. It really does take a village - or rather a mayor, a town council, residents and loved ones kind enough to help. This film couldn’t have been made without them or the incredibly cast & crew that crafted it in just five and half days.
The goal was to tell a human story of survival and morality under pressure, to craft a story of resilience that resonates beyond its specific historical setting. It’s always scary pitching a passion project out to the world for the first time, especially when wanting to tell a story in a second language. Collaborators you admire are usually the first port of calls and then a community to craft it with. I was lucky to find ones crazy enough to say ‘yes’…
Consisting of up & coming filmmakers from more than 15 countries (Spain, Scotland, Poland, France, Colombia, Hong Kong & Latvia to name just a few), the team really delivered. It is with great pride we present our small window into a world both distant and painfully relevant. In the words of the Foyle Film Festival’s Jury, ‘Cuerpos’ is ‘a thunderously powerful melodrama’. We hope you enjoy.
