Windfall
The true story of Louisa May Alcott and the little girl who
fell into her life.
When life drops a windfall at your feet - make apple pie
TREATMENT
"Windfall" is a short, stop-motion animated film for
children and adults.
A true story
of Louisa May Alcott, the well known author of the children's classic 'Little Women' and her adopted niece
Lulu.
Concord, Massachusetts, 1878. Louisa May Alcott, tired and
ailing spinster compares her own dull and meaningless existence to the idyllic
life of her younger sister May in Paris, but is grief stricken when May suddenly
dies in childbirth. At May's dying wish,
baby Lulu is sent to Concord to be raised by Louisa. The spirited,
unruly child provides many challenges but ultimately gives new purpose to
Louisa's life. When Lulu is 8, Louisa dies. Against the families wishes, Lulu's
father insists that Lulu is returned to him in Austria.
Traditional stop-motion animation with realistic,
authentically styled set and puppets capture the culture, atmosphere and
parenting issues of 1880s New England in a poignant and emotive true story of
the much-loved author's intimate private life.
Wonder whether you are fulfilling your true purpose? "Windfall" shows how a twist of fate can cause you to re-evaluate
what's truly important and provide meaning in most unexpected ways. Set to a
stirring, original classical score this animated film will draw the viewer deep
into a bygone era which carries a modern message on the soul-healing nature of
motherhood.
Act 1
Louisa is sitting in the study at Orchard House. She is
startled by a slam of the front door and a wet, dishevelled eight year old Lulu
appears in the doorway. After being admonished, Lulu storms off to remove her
wet things before returning to the study to settle down for a story by the fire
at Aunt Louisa's knee. Louisa tells Lulu
the story of how she came to live with her.
May and Ernst live a charmed life in the picturesque French
town of Meudon. Louisa compares her dull, seemingly meaningless existence with
the blissful life May has found for herself. May becomes pregnant and a letter
of the news causes much joy for Louisa who wishes she could be with her younger
sister. Back in Paris, May packs a chest for Louisa.
In the event of May not surviving childbirth she tells Ernst
she wishes the baby to be raised by Louisa in Concord.
Shortly after baby Lulu is born, May dies of post-partum
fever. Louisa hears the news through a visit from Mr Emerson, a family friend,
who has been tasked with delivering the sad news. The Alcott family are grief
stricken. They have already lost their youngest sister and mother.
Some months later it is spring and Louisa prepares the
nursery at Orchard House for the arrival of baby Lulu, wistfully remembering
her sister but feeling there is now purpose
in her life for she is unexpectedly to become a mother at 46.
We return to Louisa and Lulu by the fireside. Lulu is
weeping and asks if she is to blame for her mother's death. Louisa assures her
that although they all miss May terribly, she should not fret, that the next
part of the story is the fun part about the boat...
Act 2
Louisa is at Boston Wharf, scanning the boats for the
arrival of 10 month old Lulu. The nurse and Ernst young sister Sophie appear
with the baby and the Captain of the ship hands her to Louisa. She is overcome
with emotion when the baby reaches up to her and calls her 'Marmee'.
Louisa, sister and her father dote on baby Lulu. Her first
birthday she is showered with gifts. Bronson walks with Lulu in the garden and
Louisa proudly shows off Lulu to her friends, telling her publisher she is
unable to write as she is so busy with the little girl. By the time Lulu turns
two she is more challenging. She falls down the stairs (though isn't hurt), she
is unruly and spirited and Louisa finds the noise unbearable. She fails to find
a nanny for Lulu who will give her freedom and care for her in the modern way
that Bronson advocates. After one tantrum on new years day, Louisa is persuaded
to spank Lulu. Lulu exclaims "do it! do it!" but afterwards is
devastated and Louisa is wracked with guilt.
They visit Nanquit for the summer and Lulu is fascinated by
the beach. Louisa is proud of the growing little girl. She has her photograph
taken and visits friends with her but her health is failing fast. Louisa moves
to Boston so sees much less of Louisa and misses her deeply. Louisa moves into
a doctors house to attempt to convalesce but is very weak. Lulu writes to her
begging for a tricycle.
Act 3
Louisa has news that her father Bronson is very ill and goes
to visit him in Orchard house. After an emotional moment where Bronson asks
Louisa to come with him when he dies, Louisa says she wishes she could.
Louisa's health is now very poor and she returns to the doctors house. She
falls into unconsciousness and dies soon after. Bronson dies on the same day.
Anna holds Lulu's hand as they watch from outside Louisberg
Square the visitors going in to pay their respects. They are wearing black and
in mourning for both Louisa and Bronson.
The next day they receive a telegraph from Ernst, Lulu's
father, insisting that Lulu come to live with him in Austria. Anna is
devastated and begs Ernst to reconsider. Lulu does not know her father. Ernst
will not relent and Anna and her son Fred board a ship at Boston Wharf to take
Lulu to him.
We return to Orchard House and the chair by the fire but
this time an elderly Lulu has returned and is reading a copy of 'Lulu's Library',
a collection of fairy stories that Louisa wrote for her.
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