All Is Vanity (film)
A fashion shoot turns bizarre when one person vanishes.
Marcos Mereles made his directorial debut with *All Is Vanity*, a 2021 British fantasy-mystery film that he also wrote and produced. The story follows a photographer, his assistant, a makeup artist, and a model who meet for a fashion shoot in a London warehouse, only for one of them to vanish and the situation to become strange. The cast includes Sid Phoenix, Yaseen Aroussi, Isabelle Bonfrer, Rosie Steel, and Christopher Sherwood. The film first screened at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2021, and later had a limited UK cinema release on 14 October 2022, distributed by Verve Pictures. Critics gave it positive reviews: *The Upcoming* awarded 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a "fascinating" surreal story with a strong cast, stylish cinematography, and a self-aware script; *Empire* described it as a mystery that "unravels like nesting dolls"; and *Total Film* labelled it a "deftly built farce."
Quick Facts
- Director
- Marcos Mereles
- Starring
- Sid Phoenix / Yaseen Aroussi / Isabelle Bonfrer / Rosie Steel / Christopher Sherwood
- Music
- Tristan Seewer
- Cinematography
- Murat Ersahin
- Editing
- Damian Tetelbaum
- Production Companies
- Malbec Films
- Distributor
- Verve Pictures
- Released
- 11 October 2021 · BFI · 2022 · 10 · 14 · United Kingdom
- Runtime
- 72 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows an eccentric photographer, his eager assistant, a make-up artist and a model as they gather for a fashion shoot in a London warehouse. When one of their number disappears, events take a turn for the bizarre. The cast includes Sid Phoenix as The Photographer, Yaseen Aroussi as The Intern, Isabelle Bonfrer as The Model, Rosie Steel as The Makeup Artist, and Christopher Sherwood as The Film Director.
Reader's Guide
All Is Vanity marks the directorial debut of Marcos Mereles, who also wrote and produced the film. It premiered at the 65th BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2021, and was later released in select UK cinemas on 14 October 2022 by Verve Pictures. Critical reception included a 4 out of 5 star review from The Upcoming, which praised its talented cast, stylish cinematography and self-aware script. Empire described it as 'a mystery that unravels like nesting dolls', while Total Film called it a 'deftly built farce'. The film is notable as a British independent fantasy-mystery with a limited theatrical release.
Marcos Mereles' Directorial Debut
Marcos Mereles stepped into the director's chair for the first time with All Is Vanity, a 2021 British fantasy-mystery that he also wrote and produced. Taking on all three of these creative roles simultaneously marked a bold entry into filmmaking, giving the project a singular, unified vision from script to screen. The film blends elements of fantasy and mystery into a contained narrative, a format that allows a first-time director to work within a focused scope while still experimenting with tone and structure. By handling the writing, production, and direction himself, Mereles maintained complete authorial control over every aspect of the storytelling, from the self-aware script to the overall pacing and atmosphere. This all-encompassing approach is characteristic of auteur-driven debuts, where the filmmaker's personal voice permeates every department. The result is a film that feels deeply personal in its execution, with a distinct stylistic identity that sets it apart from more conventional genre entries. For a director making his first feature, the ambition of juggling so many creative responsibilities speaks to a strong commitment to realizing a specific artistic vision without compromise.
A Contained Ensemble in a London Warehouse
The narrative of All Is Vanity is built around a small, tightly-knit group of characters who converge for a fashion shoot inside a London warehouse. The ensemble includes an eccentric photographer, his eager assistant, a make-up artist, and a model, each brought together by the practical demands of a single working day. The story takes a sharp turn when one member of this group vanishes, sending the remaining characters into increasingly bizarre territory. The film's cast brings distinct energy to each role: Sid Phoenix embodies the enigmatic photographer, Yaseen Aroussi plays the wide-eyed intern, Isabelle Bonfrer takes on the model, Rosie Steel portrays the make-up artist, and Christopher Sherwood appears as a film director. By keeping the setting confined to a single location and the cast to just five principal characters, the film creates an intimate stage where every interaction carries weight. The disappearance acts as a catalyst that peels back the ordinary surface of a routine shoot, revealing something stranger and more layered beneath. This structure allows the fantasy-mystery elements to unfold organically within a space that feels both grounded and surreal.
From Festival Premiere to Theatrical Screens
All Is Vanity made its world premiere at the 65th edition of the BFI London Film Festival, screening on 11 October 2021. Choosing a major festival as the film's first public appearance is a strategy for independent British productions seeking to generate early buzz, attract industry attention, and build a critical profile before a wider audience encounter. The festival setting provided a platform for the film to be seen by critics, distributors, and cinephiles in a concentrated environment, which is particularly valuable for a debut feature with a niche fantasy-mystery premise. Following its festival run, Verve Pictures secured the distribution rights for the United Kingdom and Ireland, committing to bringing the film to audiences in a traditional cinema format. The limited theatrical release took place on 14 October 2022, with the film appearing in select cinemas. This roughly one-year gap between premiere and theatrical release is typical for independent films, as the period allows for post-production refinement, marketing development, and the identification of the right distribution partner. The decision to release in select cinemas rather than a wide rollout reflects the film's positioning as a thoughtful, audience-specific piece rather than a mainstream blockbuster.
Critical Acclaim and Genre Positioning
The critical response to All Is Vanity painted a consistently positive picture, with reviewers highlighting the film's tonal confidence and ensemble performances. The Upcoming awarded the film four out of five stars, singling out what they described as a fascinating surreal tale elevated by the strength of its talented cast, stylish cinematography, and a self-aware script. This combination of visual polish and narrative wit suggested a film that understood its own genre conventions while still finding fresh angles within them. Empire Magazine framed the experience differently, comparing the unfolding plot to nesting dolls, a metaphor that captures the layered, recursive quality of the mystery as each revelation opens onto another. Total Film, meanwhile, emphasized the comedic undercurrent, describing the film as a deftly built farce, which positions it as a lighter, more playful entry in the fantasy-mystery space. Together, these reviews sketch a picture of a film that balances surreal imagery, sharp writing, and ensemble chemistry, earning praise across multiple critical outlets for its ability to sustain intrigue within a contained setting while maintaining a sense of self-aware humour throughout its runtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All Is Vanity (film)?
It is a 2021 British fantasy-mystery movie that marks the directorial debut of Marcos Mereles, who also penned the script and produced the project. The story revolves around four people who gather in a London warehouse for a fashion photoshoot, only for the evening to spiral into something far more unsettling.
Who wrote and directed All Is Vanity (film)?
Marcos Mereles handled all three key creative roles—director, writer, and producer—making this his first feature-length film. The project is a British production.
What happens in All Is Vanity (film)?
A photographer, his assistant, a makeup artist, and a model converge in a London warehouse for a fashion shoot, but the session takes a dark and mysterious turn when one of them disappears. The remaining characters find themselves trapped in an increasingly strange and disorienting situation.
Who is in the cast of All Is Vanity (film)?
The film features Sid Phoenix, Yaseen Aroussi, Isabelle Bonfrer, Rosie Steel, and Christopher Sherwood in its principal roles. It is a British production with an ensemble cast.
When did All Is Vanity (film) premiere and get a theatrical release?
The film debuted at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2021 before receiving a limited UK cinema release on 14 October 2022. Verve Pictures served as the distributor for the theatrical window.
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