The Nettle Dress

The Nettle Dress + Pre-Recorded Q&A

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Textile artist Allan Brown spends seven years making a dress by hand, using only the fibre of locally foraged stinging nettles. This is ‘hedgerow couture’, the greenest of slow fashion. It’s also the medicine that helps him survive the death of his wife, which leaves him and their four children bereft, and how he finds a beautiful way to honour her.


Made over many years with great love and care by award winning filmmaker Dylan Howitt, the film is a labour of love just like the dress is. More about the making of the film here.


The Nettle Dress has been a grassroots, word of mouth sensation! Last year we showed the film in over 250 cinemas in the UK, reaching number 8 for documentaries in the box office, unheard of for a film about craft. We've shown in film festivals, and sustainable fashion and textile events, to spinning and weaving groups and in schools and universities. We've loved being part of the conversation about a textile (and film!) production that is slower, greener and more in tune with our beautiful planet.


Now we’re making the film available to watch worldwide between November 15th and December 12th. Also included is a 30 minute pre-recorded Q&A with Allan Brown and Dylan Howitt with more of the background of the making of both the dress and the film.

The Nettle Dress was made to watch together and we encourage people to see it with friends and family, or with their craft groups (though please note that if you are showing the film to a larger group please choose the 'community screening' ticket when you check out, or make a donation if you are able).


Important note: You'll have 7 days to watch the film from the date you buy. Once you start watching you have 6 hours to finish.


THE NETTLE DRESS

WINNER, AUDIENCE AWARDS AT CINECITY, SCREENPLAY AND GLIMMERGLASS FILM FESTIVALS


'One of the best cinematic surprises of the year' *FIVE STARS*

MANSEL STIMPSON, FILM REVIEW DAILY


''One of those films that just puts you in a different place and makes you appreciate life - lovely!'

MARK KERMODE, KERMODE & MAYO'S TAKE 


'A lovely, lyrical, poignant documentary' *FOUR STARS*

WENDY IDE, THE OBSERVER 


‘Exquisite, inspiring and beautiful.’

SIR MARK RYLANCE


Thanks for watching and for being part of this film's journey. We hope to meet you in person at a cinema soon!

Please follow us on Instagram or Facebook @nettledressfilm

Email: nettledressfilm@gmail.com

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    68 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United Kingdom
  • Rating
    12A
  • Social Media
  • Director
    Dylan Howitt
  • Producer
    Dylan Howitt
  • Cast
    Allan Brown
  • Cinematographer
    Dylan Howitt
  • Editor
    Dylan Howitt
  • Animator
    Stu Fuller
  • Composer
    Alex Munslow
  • Sound Design
    Alasdair McGregor
  • Music
    Liz Overs