Lesley Staples

Tortoise in Love is set in the beautiful English countryside of the Vale of the White Horse in Oxfordshire. The warm-hearted humour of the film is reflected in the unique story of its making; almost the entire village of Kingston Bagpuize in Oxfordshire has been involved in everything from production and costume design to locations and catering. Tom, gardener at the big house, is not a fast mover with women. In fact he's glacially slow. When beautiful Polish au pair Anya arrives for the summer, Tom falls for her like the felling of one of the giant trees he cares for in the manicured grounds. Tom's advisor in matters of the heart is young lad Harry, abandoned by the rich owners of the house to run wild in the gardens. Harry's secret wish is for the Red Arrows to appear at the village fair and Tom's is to win the heart of Anya. Both seem impossible dreams until the whole village decides to lend a hand.