UK based RWI Films & US based Hansen Women Productions have joined forces to produce a slate of feature films focussing on diverse and inclusive content, with a strong push on equality both on and off camera.
Watch our interview with Rachel and Helen here:
About the film-makers:
Rachel Warren (RWI Films) and Helen Alexis Yonov (Hansen Women Productions) are the women dynamos behind this collaboration with their unique approach of creating opportunities on film sets for fresh, new and up and coming talent, mixed with some of the most reputable and well-respected cast and crew names within the film industry.
Providing audiences with poignant educated content, this international partnership will leave audiences emotionally satisfied. Together they are currently focussing on Alexis’ award-winning scripts which she has written and will direct.
The duo are closely working together in development of their slate, covering a variety of genres of which one is a cross-cultural romantic comedy currently in script development.
The ladies’ feature film The Burden Of Light is an international multi-award-winning screenplay; an emotionally charged WWII historical drama, with RWI Films as the UK -based production company.
The Burden Of Light is set in France in 1939, 1946, and 2010. The film moves back and forth between the lives of two women, who are separated by eras, yet connected by blood. The feature film is a romantic historical drama, as well as a contemporary romance.
It touches upon the important themes of loss, grief, sacrifice, and love. The Burden Of Light has won countless screenplay awards including the Best Live Script at the BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying British Urban Film Festival. It is an intelligent, romantic, historical masterpiece which must be seen on our screens.
Their other feature in pre-production is Inheriting Hope – Which is about two very different people – Phillip and Hope – who face the responsibilities that have been passed on by previous generations.
By reconnecting to their families’ pasts, each of them learn about the individual legacies that they have inherited and now, in turn, feel they must uphold. As Christmas nears, so do important decisions about their futures. Set in present day England, the multi-cultural romantic comedy is about love, trust, courage and above all else, hope.
Rachel Warren is also known for her extensive acting credits and can be seen most recently playing Lucy in “Rise Of The Footsoldier”, Rachel in “The Last Heist” and Karen in “Give Them Wings” – with her roles as Jane in “Dragged Up Dirty” and Iris “Ripper’s Revenge” released this year.
We will also be lucky to see Rachel perform in the slate of feature films that she and Helen Alexis Yonov are producing.
Warren is excited to also have created a Comedy Drama TV Series, working alongside Netflix writer Sameera Steward which is in the hands of their literacy agents to be taken to market this year.
Helen Alexis Yonov is a Latvian-American filmmaker and her work often combines various cultures, including the multi-award-winning short film “The Gesture and The Word”, which she wrote, directed & produced, and has won over 60 awards internationally.
The film is about a lonely postman (Gilbert) who lives vicariously through hand-drawn postcards that a woman (Aurore) receives from her boyfriend (Eric) as he travels around the world.
The film has screened at several Academy Award-qualifying festivals, such as Hollyshorts (2020), LA Shorts (2020), and The Cleveland International Film Festival (2020). It also screened at the Cordillera International Film Festival (where The Burden of Light won Best Dramatic Script in 2022)
Yonov is also excited to be a producer on Bruce Burchmore’s documentary film, “Stonebreaker” which is about legendary harpsichord musician Scott Ross.
Helen Alexis Yonov says:
“We are a women lead team with access to a pool of talent in the UK, USA and EU. We believe in zero tolerance for unethical behaviour. We want to make a change to keep people secure and safe, whilst providing our experts with the highest industry standards”
Speaking about the collaboration, Warren had this to say:
“Our UK/US collaboration is built on mutual respect and trust that stems from a similar love for film which combine our values with a desire to create beautiful cinematic stories that highlight the strength of humanity.
By bringing different cultures and voices to our work, we aim to create a depth that speaks to a multi-cultural array of people and their unique and differing experiences in this cinematic format.”
For more on RWI Films, please go to:
For more on Hansen Women Productions, please go to:
Follow Rachel and Helen on Social Media here:
Rachel Warren:
Instagram: @rachelwarrenofficial / https://www.instagram.com/rachelwarrenofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelwarrenactress
Twitter: @rachelwarrenACT
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3303822/
@rwifilms
Helen Alexis Yonov:
Instagram: @helenalexisyonov – https://www.instagram.com/helenalexisyonov Personal website for Helen Alexis Yonov: www.helenalexisyonov.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1303266/
