MISSED CALLS - DOCUMENTARY

SYNOPSIS

In March 2020, as the UK entered lockdown, an anonymous phone line was set up, inviting people to share their unfiltered thoughts, fears, and confessions. Over three months, voices from across the country called in—some seeking connection, others embracing solitude. They spoke about what they missed, what they didn’t, and the unexpected emotions that surfaced in isolation.

Now, approaching the fifth anniversary of lockdown, these recordings serve as a time capsule of a nation in crisis. A father struggling with distance from his young son, a worker missing the office connections, an elderly man confronting loneliness—each call offers a deeply personal glimpse into that unprecedented moment. Some voices are raw with grief, others unexpectedly humorous, but together they form an intimate portrait of life on pause.

This documentary presents a selection of those calls, weaving them into a powerful meditation on isolation, resilience, and the truths we only dare share when no one knows our name. As we reflect on that time, these voices remind us not just of what was lost, but of the ways we changed—and what still lingers, five years on.

CONCEPT

During lockdown, I felt powerless and sought connection through this project, creating a space for people to share their unfiltered thoughts. But like the rest of the world, I soon needed a break from Covid. Now, approaching the fifth anniversary, I can look back on this collective trauma we all vaguely remember. With this film, I hope to preserve those voices, offering an intimate reflection on that surreal time—what was lost, what changed, and what still lingers. It’s a time capsule of raw emotion, reminding us of our shared resilience and the fleeting nature of memory.

Directed / shot /edited - Liam Saint-Pierre