Films from loads of familiar names

A host of top comedy names, led by Bill Bailey, are making new comedy shorts for the BBC iPlayer.

Among those taking part in the Funny Valentines collection are Matt Berry, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Limmy, Nick Helm, Modern Toss, Russ Abbott,Aisling Bea and Katy Wix. Each has created a short film offering their take on love.

The commission is one of 16 iPlayer-only films announced by the BBC today, also including Tinie Tempah at Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibition; Abbey Clancy at London Fashion Week; and three drama shorts from first-time creators.

Victoria Jaye, head of TV content for BBC iPlayer said the shows are ‘a glimpse of iPlayer’s next wave of innovation’

The Funny Valentines are:

LOVE SONG: Bill Bailey reimagines one of his most popular songs in a spoof music video poking fun at the earnestness of romantic rock. In the film, an obsessive loner’s life is turned upside-down by a beautiful, mysterious woman, played by Emma Thompson.

WILD LOVE: The sequel to Matt Berry’s maverick wildlife ‘documentary’ Lone Wolf, released on iPlayer last year. In this, Berry voices spectacular wildlife photography as he describes courtships and mating rituals in his own way.

A TALE OF 2 ROMS: Romesh Ranganathan offer some dubious advice on seduction, in a film that also stars Aisling Bea.

MUSIC LOVERS: Sara Pascoe stars in short about Norwegian band Monozygotic launching a new album, Funny Valentines, in the UK. This promo features extracts from their music videos and interviews with the band members. The executive producer is Sharon Horgan through Merman Films, the company she runs with Clelia Mountford, who produces.

A WEE VIDEO FOR THE LASSES: Brian Limond, AKA Limmy, creates a new character of a nervous romantic filming his clip for a dating website. According to the BBC description, ‘he’s got a twinkle in his eye, a good sense of humour and a grisly, violent backstory’.

MODERN TOSS PRESENTS THE LADY AND THE FLY: An ‘emotionally charged and lavish’ six-minute animation with the epic sweep of a classic romantic melodrama. In this groundbreaking tale of inter-species heartbreak, a lovestruck fly falls for the woman of his dreams, only to find himself bound in a web of his own deluded nightmare. It is voiced by Mackenzie Crook and Paul Kaye.

DEAR JEAN-PIERRE: The story of a relationship in decline as Katy Wix puts pen to paper to tell the glamorous Frenchman who stole her heart that it's over. Their doomed romance is revealed through a series of flashbacks.

ELEPHANT: Written by and starring Nick Helm and his Uncle co-star Esther Smith, Elephant involves two best friends whiling away a skint afternoon walking around the backstreets of Brighton. Why would they let the fact that they’ve fallen in love get in the way of them talking nonsense to each other?

LAST CHANCE: Open All Hours and Last Of The Summer Wine creator Roy Clarke wrote this story of a man who’s had enough after his wife left him. He's recording one final goodbye message as he ruminates on their life, God and Isobel from over the road who has been a 'big comfort' to him. Guest starring Felicity Montagu.

All the shorts will be released on February 13.

Here is a previous incarnation of Bailey’s Love Song:

Published: 23 Jan 2015