Culture Interviews Cinema & Tv

“15-year-olds are flocking to people like Andrew Tate because there’s such confusion around what masculinity is or whether it even exists”: Noah Caplan on Stepping Stone

“15-year-olds are flocking to people like Andrew Tate because there’s such confusion around what masculinity is or whether it even exists”: Noah Caplan on Stepping Stone

Landing on ITVX just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week is short film Stepping Stone from young director Noah Caplan. Prompted by a traumatic event in his family, Caplan was inspired to write about the impact of mental trauma when he was just 15. The script developed to focus on four different characters as they seek out help, with the aim of highlighting the importance of – and normalising – mental health conversations. 

The Upcoming had a lovely chat with Caplan about the genesis of the project, stemming from his sister’s miraculous recovery after a severe accident, and his desire to contribute to the mental health conversation and raise money for vital resources. Delving into the casting process, Caplan told us how he went about bringing Danny Dyer on-board by any means necessary for a crucial role, reflecting the film’s mission to challenge preconceptions and redefine narratives around mental health.

Sarah Bradbury

Stepping Stone is released on ITVX on 15th May 2023.

Watch the trailer for Stepping Stone here:

More in Cinema & Tv

Ella McCay

Talitha Stowell

Silent Night, Deadly Night

Thomas Messner

Lurker

Christina Yang

Prime Minister

Andrew Murray

Eternity

Talitha Stowell

Spartacus – House of Ashur: On the red carpet with the cast and creatives

Ezelle Alblas

“This year we had our very first snowfall and it was so beautiful”: Gobo on The First Snow of Fraggle Rock

Ezelle Alblas

“I’ve never really been motivated by the idea of the art being successful as much as resonating with people”: Luke Smallbone on For King and Country – A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE

Sarah Bradbury

Spartacus: House of Ashur

Will Snell