Testament of Youth by Juliette Towhidi Based on the Autobiography Of
Testament of Youth by Juliette Towhidi Based on the autobiography of Vera Brittain Salmon Revision 21.04.14 1 CLOSE ON - The face of VERA (24); her expression is watchful, uncertain. Around her, the muffled, distorted sounds of street celebrations. She has striking features, expressive of great intelligence, yet tired by experiences beyond her years. Suddenly, SOUND comes CRASHING IN - - Vera is on a London street thronging with merrymakers. A swell of revellers push past, sweeping her away with them. A caption: London, 11th November 1918. 1 EXT. LONDON STREET - EVENING (WINTER) 1 In the enfolding gloom of evening, Vera is BUFFETED in the crowd; people wave flags, swig from bottles, sit astride each other’s shoulders. Vera mingles in the crowd but seems isolated, as though in a separate bubble. The sound cuts in and out, as though she’s having trouble connecting. 2 EXT. LONDON STREET - EVENING 2 Vera is moving through the throng, having to elbow her way, overwhelmed by the densely packed bodies - The noise still CUTS in and out - as a sudden loud ROAR crashes in on her - She gasps, turns - to see a MOTOR CAR, spilling over with revellers. A WOMAN sits on top swigging from a champagne bottle. A YOUNG SOLDIER, his head bandaged, sees Vera, and leaps out. He grabs her hands, pulling her into a hectic dance, as others around them dance too. Vera SPINS!...dizzy, as faces fly past her - She’s trapped, the panic rises - she BREAKS FREE - - Pushes through the crowd, desperate to escape, elbowing, annoying people - She sees some church steps ahead of her, and stumbles up them.
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