Now available for streaming

Sophie Karl is writer, co-director, producer and actress for her first-ever film – from which good things are already flowing.

“Acting is something that I adore so I thought that if someone isn't going to give me the opportunity then I am going to do it myself. That's how I started with this and I'm now involved in lots of other truly beautiful projects. Currently I'm making seven films. Some people have seen what I am doing and they have started to believe in me. I'm working a lot, a lot, a lot but every single project is something I truly believe in and every single project has got a strong message attached.”

And it has all flowed from A Requiem for Desire which is available on Apple TV. Sophie is promising a timeless spirited romance between the present and the Victorian era as a journey to the past awakens a passion within Rose.

“It is a period drama set between modern times and the Victorian era. It's romantic and it is a little bit sensual! There is a topic about reincarnation and there's also an underlying topic about the abuse towards women.

“I am playing Rose. I'm a wine taster but in the background I feel quite depressed because I'm hiding from everybody the fact that I am being abused by my fiancé. Everyone loves him and so I don't have the guts to tell anybody about what is happening basically. It is hurting. My friend sees that I am not very happy but she does not know why and so she takes to me to a party in a Victorian house where I see in the corner, a man that I feel I have known for a long time. Somehow I feel a lot of love towards him…”

Sophie is keen not to give too much away.

“Rose thinks she does not see the beautiful soul that her fiancé must have because everyone thinks he is great. She feels trapped by that. There was actually one moment that gave me the shivers when we were making it. It's about how things come back round in time and how you need to speak to stop it happening.”

The film was made in Hastings and Eastbourne and the area around with some scenes filmed in London.

“It is an independent film so it is incredible to get it on Apple TV. I did it with no means. It was very low budget so to get on Apple TV is just amazing.

“I wanted to help myself as an actress to find more work and I just thought this would be a locally produced film, a short movie but my ambition took over and I ended up making a feature film with some famous names in it.”

The cast and crew are 40 strong, and the film lasts just over an hour.

“Heather Small from the M people is in the film too and in a couple of my upcoming films as well.

“It's the first time I've ever made a film and I made it alone which is quite a big thing. I organised the whole premiere alone. I decided to put all the money I had left in my bank account into it. It was a bit of a gamble for a first film but I've definitely learned so much from doing this. It has been very challenging with lots of ups and downs. It has been a tough ride and there have been lots of tears. And that's why it just feels such a big thing for me now.”

You can find out more about the film on Sophie’s Instagram @sparklingsophie1111.