© Alex Rollins Berg

'Ruth', a short film by New York writer/director Alex Rollins Berg, will make its UK premiere 10-13 September at the New Renaissance Film Festival, where it is nominated for Best International Short. The film stars Barbara Tirrell (Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl) and Lynn Cohen (Munich, The Hunger Games), in one of her final performances. Cohen passed away earlier this year at the age of 86.

Ruth tells the story of a middle-aged woman struggling to keep her high-pressure job while caring for her elderly mother.

The film reunited Cohen and Tirrell, who played mother and daughter 35 years ago in Chekhov’s The Seagull. "Sometimes this profession serves up great gifts out of the blue. The surprising chance to work again with Lynn was one of those gifts,” said Tirrell. “She was a funny, kind and generous human being. She was a consummate artist. I am so grateful for the time we had together on this film. With her passing, we lost one of the greats."

Over her long career, Cohen worked with directors Steven Spielberg, Louis Malle, Woody Allen and Charlie Kaufman, among others. She was perhaps best known for her role as Magda in the HBO series Sex and the City. “On set, Lynn was a gleeful collaborator, relentless flirt, loud and frequent belcher, and powerhouse of an actor,” said filmmaker Berg. “Sadly, I never got to show Lynn our film, but what a joy it was to make it with her and Barbara. Ruth is dedicated to Lynn’s memory.”

Trailer 'Ruth'

The full lineup of the New Renaissance Film Festival will be streamed on Vimeo On Demand from 10-13 September.