THE
FIRST
OF
ITS
KIND
​LOVESTORY is a genre-defying drama from visual artist and designer George Delius – marking the tenth (and final) year of his marriage – and a relationship spanning 17 years.
“What genre is it? I’d call it social media cinema” explains the producer, who this year, publicly released the 2015 movie made about his marriage, near Cannes, France. He calls it a 'cathartic act of art'. Accompanied, of course, by it’s own social media and marketing campaign.
Released this Thanksgiving (2025) – LOVESTORY re-tells the age old story of two star-crossed lovers, whose love was so bold and so bright that it had to burn out.
It is, describes Delius “both a celebration – and – a cremation of love. Equal part romance and equal part tragedy”.
It is hard not to draw comparisons with Romeo & Juliet. For centuries, audiences have feasted their eyes as the couple’s passion plays out on stage and screen – magnified – by the knowledge that it will unwittingly end, in tragedy.
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"OF COURSE –
IT'S CONTROVERSIAL."
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"The purpose of LOVESTORY was always to invite curiosity," explains the film's producer.
“It’s not for the viewer to judge the main characters, per se,” he proposes “but rather to question the unsustainable standards set by society." The standards that say you have to find your 'forever love'... have the 'fairytale wedding', and of course, embark on your 'happily ever after' ending. "The truth", claims the creative director, "is that marriages require maintenance. Lasting love is a skill; and that nothing and nobody should be taken for granted."
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"SOME OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVE STORIES
HAVE ENDED WITH:
'...AND THEY GREW APART'
– AND THAT'S OK"
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“Some of the world’s greatest love stories of all time have ended with: '...and they grew apart’.” Delius points out – “and that’s ok". Acknowledging that does not discount the validity of a couple’s love. But regrettably, most long-lasting relationships come to be judged on how they ended. Meanwhile the other 95% gets plastered over. "We had at least 14 fabulous years [out of 17]..." the writer reminisces. "That's more than most people ever get to experience. We were very lucky."
Watching LOVESTORY, we are called to question: how can something as meaningful as marriage, essentially become… meaningless?
"Of course, it’s controversial” openly admits the man behind the milestone movie.
“It’s a parody, it’s pastiche, it’s poignant, it’s painful, it’s powerful.”
But perhaps most importantly – it’s poking fun.
Artists are always looking for ways to express themselves. To turn their pain into something more poignant and more purposeful for people.
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"IT'S A PARODY, IT'S PASTICHE, IT'S POIGNANT, IT'S PAINFUL,
IT'S POWERFUL...
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IT'S POKING FUN."
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What fuelled the decision to release the film, discloses Delius, was seeing, in the wake of his own apocalypse, the suffering and heartbreak of so many friends and family around him.
"I had just emerged from the ashes of a 17-year relationship (10 years of marriage). I had gone through the grieving and growth process – wholeheartedly. I did “the work” and finally I had arrived at a place of strength and sovereignty in the aftermath of it all."
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"I thought: what can I do to help soothe some of the suffering of others? And that's when the idea for LOVESTORY hit me."
"What if I made this traumatic chapter of my life into something that people in pain could at least have a light-hearted laugh at? It was a way of saying: ‘Hey! If you think your situation sucks – just look what happened to me. And, not only that, it’s now on TV, for everyone to see." He pauses to reflect: "that's kind of funny, right?”
Jokes aside, Delius agrees that it was a radical act of vulnerability. He said he spent many months debating whether it was the 'right' or 'moral' thing to do. But "as an artist, you have to trust your intuition, your intention and your emotional intelligence. “I guess you could call it a form of self-sacrifice in the name of art – and uplifting others. To tell this story... it's taboo."
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"THERE IS HUGE DIGNITY
IN DIVORCE"
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Is there anything he learned through the process? “Divorce is not a failure” declares Delius defiantly. “There is huge dignity in divorce.”
“What is a failure," he insists, "is two people who decide to stay in a relationship that is no longer serving them out of denial or fear. That is not a relationship. That is a situationship".
What advice would he give to others undergoing a similar experience?
“Here's the truth: there is no easy way to end a long relationship. I like the idea of annually evaluating vows. It signifies that remaining together is always a choice and not a given."
"Divorce is misunderstood. It is – in reality – a powerful release". A chance for rebirth... for transformation. "The process completely changed me" he admits "for the better".
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"It is an act that takes immeasurable courage. Sure – at the time, it might feel sad – but in fact – it’s salvation."
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"TO TELL THIS STORY...
IT'S TABOO."
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The artist offers advice to friends and family: “If you don’t know what to say to someone who is going through a major breakup, breakdown, or a divorce, don’t say: ‘I’m so sorry for you’. Say: ‘I support you!’
One of my favourite quotes is by author and Instagram inspiration, Jillian Turecki:
“To walk away from someone you care about who cannot meet your needs is one of the bravest acts you can do. It is the highest form of self-love.”
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"EVERY LOVER IS OUR TEACHER"
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The British artist, who explains he underwent a spiritual awakening as a result of the painful process, believes that God makes no mistakes. “Look - if two people are meant to stay together... then they will stay together. It really is that simple. He adds: "Every lover is our teacher. You will always gain something from suffering.” But, he also openly admits, it takes time, compassion, introspection and healing to gain a positive perspective. "Everyone wants to grow," the producer proclaims "until they realise that growth... equals grief".
"In my darkest hours, I learned my life lesson: Amor Fati – the Latin phrase for our ability to not only accept our own fate, but to learn to love it".
“Out of our loss... came LOVESTORY!” explains the artist, with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. A twinkle in his eye.
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“If you are going through relationship grief or pain right now, my prescription is this... slip into your best Bridget Jones jammies, light a candle and get the popcorn out!"
"...enjoy a laugh on us."
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"WHATEVER HAPPENS TO YOU HAS BEEN WAITING TO HAPPEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME"
- MARCUS AURELIUS
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"Life IS a cabaret. Everything you experience on earth is just one story among a billion trillion stars – so better make it a good one."
"There is no one truth," he explains. "Yours is different to mine and mine is different to yours and ours is different to theirs and so on… And that's ok. I learnt - that's peace."
He hopes the film will give its more vulnerable viewers some distance and detachment from their own Shakespearian shitshow.
“LOVESTORY teaches us that life is just that – a story. Now you have the chance to re-write yours.”
“Enjoy the movie!”
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'LOVESTORY: The Movie' is available for streaming exclusively from lovestory.movie – from 27 November 2025.
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George Delius is a visual artist and graphic designer based in north London.
PORTFOLIO: delius.design
SOCIAL: @georgedelius
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