MANNERS began as a creative vision, developed by director Aisha Schliessler in collaboration with London-based womenswear brand LENY. The idea was to create a short fashion film, set within the breathtaking interiors of Eltham Palace, a British architectural landmark. When Fujifilm Europe came on board as a partner, it brought the project’s ambitions within reach — and, as it turned out, the timing could not have been better.
“Having previously worked with Aisha on the Premista launch film, I knew firsthand the level of visual storytelling she brings to the table,” says Marc Cattrall, Business Development Manager for Cinema at Fujifilm Europe. “When she shared her initial concept, I saw more than just an incredible opportunity to support a feminist story that absolutely deserves to be told. Aisha didn’t know it yet, but the timing was perfect. Our new GF19-35mm Power Zoom lens was just around the corner and I was eager to see exactly what it could do in a real-world environment. A stylised fashion shoot was the ultimate testing ground. It quickly became a collaboration that worked beautifully for everyone involved.”
The Story: A Mini-Revolt in Every Scene
MANNERS is a film about femininity, autonomy, and the subtle rebellion of women navigating imposed social codes. Captured in a single day with a nimble crew, the film builds its tension through the contrast between a commanding voiceover and two women who simply refuse to obey it. Each scene is a composed, unhurried act of defiance.
“At its core, the narrative operates on a dual layer,” explains director Aisha Schliessler. “We have a stern, traditional narrator who dictates rules of propriety inspired by vintage etiquette, while two modern women silently yet confidently dismantle them through their actions. I envisioned this voice like a ghost of the past, living within the walls of the space, yet at the same time, it felt relevant, as women are still being haunted by dated social codes and expectations. Each scene acts as a mini-revolt, whether it’s a lingering gaze into the lens or relaxing in a bathtub, armed with a cigarette and opinions. Together, the vignettes build to a literal and symbolic shattering of the rules, showing in the most elegant fashion that some things are more powerful once broken.”
Embracing the Space: Cinematography & Lighting
Brighton-based Director of Photography Sy Turnbull joined the project, working closely with Aisha to translate an ambitious shoot into a single day on location. As Eltham Palace is a functioning museum, there were strict restrictions on how the space could be used, and every setup had to be carefully planned to make the day. The adaptability of the Fujifilm system proved essential to moving easily through the palace and delivering the film within their allotted time.
To complement the 1930s Art Deco aesthetic of Eltham Palace, the production team chose a naturalistic lighting philosophy.
“From a lighting perspective, we wanted to stay true to the space, but embrace the darkness,” says DP Sy Turnbull. “Every light source has a naturalistic placement, keeping with the building and tone. The large sensor gives us that medium format photography look that we’re all accustomed to in fashion photography. So it’s the perfect aesthetic for this film.”
Optics and Architecture: The Fujifilm GF Lens Lineup
To capture both the expansive, grand scale of the palace ballroom and the intimate, subtle facial expressions of the performers, Sy relied entirely on Fujifilm’s native G-mount Medium Format optics paired with the GFX ETERNA 55.
The production utilized three distinct lenses:
- GF32-90mmT3.5 PZ OIS WR
- GF19-35mmT3.5 PZ OIS WR
- GF120mm F4 Macro R LM OIS WR
The combination of ultra-wide zooms and precise macro capabilities allowed the crew to move efficiently without sacrificing visual variety.
“What we really liked about the film was having these big open, expansive wides, but then also capturing the smaller details,” notes Turnbull. “What immediately stands out is just how compact and lightweight these zoom lenses are, yet they cover the full large sensor of the Fujifilm camera. You still have the sharp quality of Fujifilm glass, but in a lighter package.”
