Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘We Caught A Burglar’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
For most of the team, We Caught a Burglar was our first venture into filmmaking. While we have been involved in the film industry for years, our primary experience came from working in the UK theatre scene—writing, directing, acting, and producing plays.
The decision to make We Caught a Burglar as a short film stemmed from our shared passion for storytelling and a long-held desire to create our own films. This was the first time we all had the opportunity and availability to come together as a team, making it the perfect moment to bring our vision and this story to life.
Tell us about ‘We Caught A Burglar’. How do you describe it?
We Caught a Burglar is a darkly comic, high-energy story about a friendship in crisis and an unlucky stranger caught in the middle. When flatmates Charlie and Graham impulsively decide to hold hostage a burglar who breaks into their home, their already fragile relationship is pushed to the brink. As tensions rise, they face an impossible choice: let him go or take drastic action.
On the surface, We Caught a Burglar is a laugh-out-loud, kitchen sink comedy, but beneath the humor, it delves into deeper themes—male vulnerability, toxic masculinity, the breakdown of male friendships, and men’s mental health. It explores the worlds we create to feel safe and what happens when we’re forced to leave them behind.
The idea stemmed from the fallout of a long-term friendship and the profound impact of losing someone who had been a constant presence in my life. Unlike romantic breakups, where there's often the possibility of moving on to another relationship, the end of a friendship can cut deeper, leaving a void that’s harder to fill.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
We were incredibly fortunate to grow up immersed in the work of some of the greatest filmmakers of all time—Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Danny Boyle, Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Nora Ephron, Sofia Coppola, Spike Lee, Hayao Miyazaki, and Akira Kurosawa, to name just a few.
Each of these visionary directors have left a lasting impact on our creativity and storytelling, shaping how we approach filmmaking. Their ability to craft compelling narratives, push boundaries, and evoke deep emotion continues to inspire and influence our work. There are countless filmmakers to champion, but these names, in particular, have played a significant role in our artistic journey.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
The War Inside Us – by Daniel Hallissey
Synopsis:
Inspired by my own dysfunctional upbringing, The War Inside Us explores loss, trauma, and fractured family bonds. Over seven days, it unravels the tense reunion of two estranged brothers and their absent father, exposing their struggle with grief, unspoken sacrifices, and resistance to change.
Raw, unfiltered, and emotionally charged, this contemporary take on the dysfunctional family blends visceral conflict with dark humor and unexpected tenderness. While often uncomfortable, it remains gripping and deeply relatable, challenging audiences to confront the complexities of love, duty, and redemption.
Plot Overview:
Percy grew up abandoned—his mother was neglectful, his father disappeared, and his older brother, Raz, enlisted in the army at 16. Feeling betrayed, Percy severed all ties. Twenty years later, their father, Karl, reappears with devastating news: their mother has died of an overdose. Hoping to make amends, Karl offers his sons money, but when he learns Raz is battling severe PTSD, he insists it should go toward treatment.
This reignites Percy’s resentment. Why should he sacrifice for the brother who left him? In defiance, he manipulates the situation, holding the unknowing Raz to ransom. But as tensions rise, their fractured bond begins to heal, and Percy realises the weight Raz has carried alone.
When Raz attempts suicide, Percy finally understands the depth of his suffering. The truth emerges—Karl had been trying to help all along. Feeling betrayed once more, Raz tries to take his life again. Faced with losing his brother forever, Percy must make a choice: hold onto his bitterness or let Raz go into their father’s care.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
Ensuring production stays on schedule requires meticulous pre-planning, strong self-discipline, and clear organisation. From the outset, we would establish a detailed production timeline, set achievable deadlines, and communicate expectations clearly with the team. Efficiency is key, so fostering a collaborative environment where everyone works seamlessly together is essential. Flexibility is also crucial—anticipating challenges and adapting quickly helps keep everything on track while maintaining the film’s creative vision.
What was the hardest part of making ‘We Caught A Burglar’?
We Caught a Burglar was our first film, and with a limited budget—funded entirely ourselves—it became a true passion project. The biggest challenge was the sheer length of the journey; from conception to completion, the film took over three years to make. Balancing financial constraints with creative ambitions meant navigating countless obstacles, but the determination to see it through never wavered.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
For now, our creative team is returning to our roots—working as actors and writers across film, TV, and theatre, while also directing theatre tours throughout the UK. Though We Caught a Burglar was our first film, it certainly won’t be our last. We’re eager to bring more original stories to life, whether on stage or screen, and we’re already exploring ideas for future projects.
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