George Shelley is a former contestant on the UK version of The X Factor, a member of the popular boy band Union J and an accomplished radio presenter who has gained worldwide fame. In the spring of 2017, his sister Harriet was killed in a bizarre car accident, and he also experienced unbearable heartbreak. George Shelley: Learning to Grieve tells the story of Shelley’s struggles with coming to terms with loss.
After his sister’s accident, Shelley avoided the meteor trails he used to love. He was emotionally damaged and could no longer write or sing.
Shelley struggles with grief, hoping he can process his sister’s untimely death and find the motivation and peace he needs to move on. He hopes the journey depicted in the film will inspire others struggling with similar trauma.
He returned to his childhood home in Clifden, Somerset, England, where he and his sister began a close relationship that lasted until her death. He accompanies his mother to the grave, confesses her lost essence, and fights for recovery.
The film is also a portrayal of the Great Depression. Shelley sought tools to overcome his debilitating moments of grief, including meditation, yoga and color therapy.
But it turns out that the human touch has meant the most to Shelley throughout his journey. The presence of his best friend Emily – a sympathetic young woman who is also close to Harriet – provides Shelley with a supportive companion who truly understands him. He also visited others struggling with grief, including those who had lost loved ones, livelihoods and the will to live.
Deeply personal and moving, George Shelley (George Shelley: Learning to Grieve) is a bold foray into a state of mind that is taboo to many. But her ultimate value lies in her determination to remove the stigma from the grieving process. Death and loss is a topic that many people don’t want to think about, but it’s an important part of the human experience that we all need to be prepared for.
