Brighton-based Sofia Piletto trained in gymnastics from the age of four, and says the psychological and emotional abuse she both suffered and witnessed has inspired the short movie Golden, which she has written and directs.
It focuses on 13-year-old Victoria, a successful elite gymnast.
On the eve of her biggest competition to date, she battles with the prospect of a life outside of gymnastics after a decade of “training” at the hands of her coach, her own mother.
As Victoria comes to reject her life and future career, her mother’s obsession with Victoria’s “dreams” unravels before her eyes.
The teenage gymnast is played by Tilda Hixon Carter, whose previous credits include the award-winning The Jury: Murder Trial which screened on Channel 4 last year.
Tilda, who lives in Brighton, is a former pupil at Balfour Junior School and is now at Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.
Her mother is played by Brighton-based Miranda Everitt, who trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Her previous credits include two sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival with Bite Size theatre and TV work including EastEnders and The Money Show.
A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to fund production of Golden, with more details available at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/golden2025/golden-0?ref=project_link
Sofia, who is in her final year at the University of Sussex, said: “Unique to any sport, gymnastics is bred on the success of young people.
“This in turn is a breeding ground for psychological abuse, eating disorders and anxiety.
“We intended to showcase the darker side to gymnastics, away from the medals and sponsorships, but one that focuses on a culture that is built on silence and fear in order to obtain “perfection”. A theme that we believe will resonate.
“I hope people will see themselves in Victoria and realise that they are not alone and they are not to blame.”
“This is by far my most ambitious and challenging project to date, however it is a story I am now very much prepared to portray.
“Working with a large crew and shooting on location, as well as working with professional actors, my aim for Golden is to create a film that hopefully can help bring awareness to the culture of abuse still rife within the sport of gymnastics, and spur change.”
Filming took place in Hanover and on location and Golden will be screened at film festivals upon completion.
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