Interview with Lee Knight of A Friend of Dorothy

In his debut as a director, Lee Knight, a trained British actor, imprints the kindness of friendship between a young man named JJ played by Alistair Nwachukwu and an elderly lady played by the legendary Miriam Margolyes. In A Friend of Dorothy, Knight crafts a heartwarming story about artistry, friendship and companionship. Listen to the podcast above to hear Pedro's conversation with Lee Knight.

A Friend of Dorothy, dir. Lee Knight

A Friend of Dorothy is what I call a "comfort" short. It's one to watch to be enraptured by the blossoming friendship of an unlikely pair. After accidentally kicking his football into 87 year-old Dorothy’s (Miriam Margolyes) backyard, JJ (Alistair Nwachukwu) is invited into her house to help her open her can of prunes. From there, a beautiful friendship forms between the two over tea and continues as JJ tells Dorothy of his hopes and dreams in life. 

Alistair Nwachukwu marks himself as an actor to keep an eye on; he absolutely shines in this role. He brings energy to a subtle and endearing performance, perfectly matching the charm of Miriam Margolyes, who many will recognize as the actress who plays Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies. The screenplay by director Lee Knight does this short a lot of favours. Rather than falling into the potential pitfall of coming across as cheesy or trite, Knight injects charm into the words of Dorothy at every corner. A Friend of Dorothy keeps a smile on your face and your heart swelling, begging for the sweet moments of friendship to last. The cinematography by Vanessa Whyte acts as a portrait of both actors. She does an amazing job capturing the characters' expressions, like Dorothy's mischievous smile and the wonder in JJ’s eyes at the vast collection of plays on Dorothy's shelf. 

Although the opening scene provides a lot of context to how this short will end, it doesn’t diminish its powerful final moments. It perhaps even enhances them, allowing you to cherish the time spent between friends, not knowing how or when a moment that is sure to sting is going to come.  

In a time where we see so much negativity in the news, A Friend of Dorothy offers a welcoming vibe and message. It encourages you to follow your dreams, be selfless, and embrace vulnerability. It teaches you to enjoy the company of strangers and to offer them a helping hand, because you never know, the unlikeliest of encounters could turn out to be exactly what you needed. 

Review by: Brandon MacMurray