I Wish You Called is a powerful documentary-dance film that explores the impact of growing up queer in rural spaces with limited access to queer culture and role models. The film asks, “What if rural communities had more exposure to queerness?” and imagines how different life could be for young queer individuals if they had seen themselves reflected in their surroundings. Created by Ru Lawrence in collaboration with Metal Southend and Ugly Duck, the film blends personal narrative with evocative physical movement to probe at the deep sense of isolation many feel when they are “the only gay in the village.”

Inspired by Ru’s own upbringing on a council estate in rural Somerset, I Wish You Called reflects on the struggles and loneliness of being queer in environments that lack visibility, representation, and understanding. Ru’s experience of growing up in a disconnected space, without anyone to talk to who truly understood their feelings, shapes the heart of this project. Through its evocative choreography and poignant storytelling, the film offers a hopeful vision of what could be, urging for more inclusive, supportive environments in rural communities.

By blending documentary elements with dance, I Wish You Called creates a unique, visceral narrative that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt unseen or unheard in their community.