Bachelor, 38 is a short film by Angela Clarke — a tender, personal coming-of-age love story set in 1960s London, at a time when homosexuality was illegal and being openly gay was dangerous. Gay communities lived in the shadows, bound together by unspoken codes and hidden spaces.
The film tells the true story of Brian, a young man from Cardiff, who discovers a secret world through coded small ads on the back pages of newspapers. One of these ads leads him to something life-changing: true love.
As composer, I knew the score needed to remain understated — Brian's storytelling is so rich and full of personality that the music’s job was to stay out of the way, gently supporting his emotional journey.
While the tone of the score is soft and reflective, it also quietly follows the film’s undercurrents: wonder, discovery, danger, love, and eventual loss. Brian is in the driving seat throughout — my music had to follow him, not lead.
The soundtrack features a small ensemble: piano, guitar, strings, and clarinet, with subtle sound design woven musically into the fabric. Brian was a lover of classical music, so I tried to honour that without being overtly classical — just enough to feel familiar, not imposed.
Bachelor, 38 has screened at numerous international film festivals, was a BAFTA finalist, and has been broadcast on the BBC.
👉 Read more about the film at Wheesht Films
Watch the film here: