The End We Start From isn’t only the name of Megan Hunter’s beautiful novel but also of director Mahalia Belo’s directional debut. The story is about an unnamed woman (played by Jodie Comer) who just became a mother and sadly has to flee a catastrophic flood in London. There’s no time to enjoy the wonderful motherhood, and life becomes even harder when she becomes separated from her husband (Joel Fry). That is until she meets a new friend (Katherine Waterston) in the shelter. From then on, the story is about friendship, survival, and that tiny bit of hope. According to director Belo, the story is quite an inspiring, evocative piece, and that’s one of the reasons why she chose it for her first feature. Geek Vibes Nation spoke to writer Megan Hunter and screenwriter Alice Birch at the red-carpet premiere of The End We Start From at the BFI London Film Festival 2023.
Geek Vibes Nation: Congratulations on the movie and the novel. How was it to hear that they wanted to make a film about your book?
Writer Megan Hunter: It was such a long process of hearing about it, getting more information, and finally seeing it. Every stage has been amazing. It’s been a revelation of how you can turn a book into a film. The story became so real with the actors and directors. I’ve been fortunate. Everybody involved makes such a dream team. The movie captured the spirit of the novel but is also something new.
GVN: How was it to see such a heroic story about a woman on the big screen?
MH: It had an even bigger impact than in the book. It was amazing. There are certain images and moments in the film where I really stopped and was blown away by it. I hadn’t seen that particular image of a woman with a very young baby as the heroine of a story like this. It’s something new.
GVN: I spoke to Mahalia [Belo, the director] earlier, and she mentioned some scenes in the film that weren’t actually in the novel but that you thought of putting in your book. Is that true?
MH: Yes, especially the scenes in which the characters explore nature. That’s very much in the book’s spirit and amazing to see on screen. To figure out your life in this wild landscape, and then with the baby. I loved it!
Geek Vibes Nation: Congratulations on the beautiful film. What about the book made you want to turn it into a film?
Screenwriter Alice Birch: It’s such a beautiful lyrical book. I haven’t read anything like that yet. It’s short but packs a good time because it feels so dramatic. There’s so much to that. Mainly this kind of central female character and how she feels. It’s a really lovely story. I just wanted to see it on the big screen.
GVN: And how does the adaptation process go? How do you start writing the script from the novel?
AB: You have to try and get into the writer’s mind. To try and feel like you can take over it. I try to get to know that character. The questions are in my head, and after that, I try to build the film from there.
GVN: Did you have Jodie Comer already in mind when writing the script?
AB: I honestly cannot remember the rest in my head. I just remember Jodie Comer (Killing Eve). She is that character now. That’s such a beautiful thing that’s part of making a film. You have to get to know her. Then you collaborate to bring something to it!
The End We Start From will be released in the US on the 8th of December, courtesy of Paramount’s Republic Pictures. Read our review of the movie here.
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