Synopsis: A bigoted widower in south-east suburban London struggles to maintain his late wife’s precious apricot tree. When his attempts are interrupted by a Syrian refugee, who he finds asleep in his garden shed, he finally learns how to find closure. The Apricot Tree is a personal drama about loss and the difficulties of moving on – two inescapable realities of the human condition. It also touches the surface of how isolation can breed prejudice and hypocrisy, and how humanity can be rediscovered by showing faith and kindness to those less fortunate.
About the Director: Gideon van Eeden is a South African former television actor who attained success in South Africa and performed in various European countries. After emigrating to the Netherlands, he has worked as a festival programmer and as filmmaker for corporate clients and NGOs. His second short film, The Apricot Tree, was made as part of his studies in screenwriting and directing with the Raindance MA programme and the University of Staffordshire, which he completed in 2018 with distinction. He has attained numerous nominations and awards for his work at festivals worldwide.