Suburban Wildlife
With one week left before the departure of their best friend, a close-knit group of university graduates are left facing decisions that will define the rest of their lives.
Interview with Co-writer/Director Imogen McCluskey
Watch Suburban Wildlife on Prime Video and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! We’re very proud of the film and excited to spread the message on this platform. I grew up not seeing a coming-of-age film told in an Australian voice. We could look to Britain or America or anywhere else in the world, but were left lacking a film that reflected our experiences of reaching adulthood in this hilarious, beautiful and bizarre country. So Suburban Wildlife is a coming-of-age film set in an Australia that I recognize: the suburbia of hot tarmac, brick houses, messages scribbled on footpaths, spending sweaty summers at public pools, joyriding at night through empty streets and dreaming of being anywhere else.
We wanted our first feature length film to speak loud and be bold to those who feel they haven’t been spoken to. To capture the light in the country, its humour and spirit. This film is about the complexity of simultaneously being young and growing older: reaching a crossroads you weren’t prepared to meet. It’s all part of growing up, of becoming more than just Suburban Wildlife.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
‘Suburban Wildlife’ is a film that was made with a lot of love and compassion, and the journey of the four characters in the film really encapsulates what it feels like to move through the world as someone young, lost, confused, and scared. It’s a story told with humour and warmth, and each character reflects a different element of what it’s like to come-of-age in your early 20’s.
Nina wrestles with her sexual identity, and after making questionable advances on a woman at a party, she is left to come to terms with what she truly wants - and her love and dependence on Louise. As the ‘mother’ of the group, Louise is searching for independence, using her final week in Sydney to come to terms with the reality of her trip, and make amends with Nina. Used to the absence of parents her entire life, Alice has built a hard exterior to protect herself from harm. But when she realises it is hurting those around her, and her new relationship with Ravi, she begins to let her walls down.
Kane, the only friend not to attend university, plans on heading to LA to pursue tattooing full-time. But when his visa is rejected his path is no longer clear - and he must decide whether to reveal his failure to his friends, or head down a path of self-destruction and depression.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This film is about the complexity of both being young and growing older; of reaching a crossroads you weren’t prepared to meet. The individual struggles of the protagonists - finding their sexuality, coming to terms with abandonment, depression and anxiety about their future - relate to universal themes of friendship, identity and independence.
Once Louise decides to take them on a roadtrip in their final few days together, all four friends are left with no choice but to face their demons - and each other. By the time Louise leaves they are each left, a bunch of Suburban Wildlife, on the threshold of their lives.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
As this was our first feature the process was a huge learning curve, where we were really tested in our ability to craft compelling stories that worked on screen. Through the edit we found that some scenes were not necessary in the final film, as we realised the audience already had that information, and we could trust in their intelligence and emotional engagement to care about the story being told. So it was a huge step in our skills and knowledge, and also a process of trusting the work and our audience.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback we’ve received so far has been incredibly supportive. I think audiences can really identify with the struggles of the characters in our film, and the feeling of being lost and young and stumbling through life. We made a film that felt true to our experience of the world, and it’s very humbling and gratifying that audiences are responding in kind.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I’m so grateful and excited that people are responding so positively to this project, and it’s really a testament to the tireless hours of work, passion and talent from our entire cast and crew. It’s immensely rewarding to hear audiences relating to our characters and their journeys, and that our film resonates emotionally with many different people.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
‘We are moving stories’ is such a great platform to support independent filmmakers and stories, and we hope to draw some attention to our project, as well as pique the interest of anyone who can help spread our film as far and wide as it can go!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re looking for people to come on board and support this film’s message, as well as the incredible wealth of talent both on-screen and off. After a run at international film festivals, we will be seeking an online release - so any sales agents, buyers, distributors, journalists and film festival directors who can support and believe in this film would be incredible. Please get in touch!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We’re currently entering the film into international festivals, and it will be interesting to see how this very Australian story is received overseas. But what is most important to me is that people enjoy the film, and respond to it. We tell stories to see reflections of ourselves, and I hope audiences can see themselves in ‘Suburban Wildlife’, and grow to love the film as much as we do.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We really wanted to make a film about people in their early 20s, which was written and made by people in their early 20s. Instead of a polished or nostalgic look back on youth, this film is messy and bold, and offers a message of acceptance and love. That it’s okay to explore your sexuality, it’s okay to be lost and feel alone. It’s okay to have trouble articulating your feelings, and sometimes you may hurt your friends, even if you love them. So the key question of the film concerns identity: do you ever really know yourself, unless you’re challenged by people you love?
Would you like to add anything else?
‘Suburban Wildlife’ is a unique and bold debut feature, made through a true feminist lens. Most of the heads of department were female, and off the back of a successful Pozible crowdfunding campaign we raised just under $4000 from 50 supporters, which was spread across the intense 14-day shoot. Filmed over a sweltering summer in February 2017, a passionate volunteer crew faced 50 degree weather and challenging locations, filming inside sweaty cars, remote watering holes and beside busy highways. We want to thank everyone who has supported the film so far, and we’re looking forward to connecting with audiences all over the world.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Through this film we formed a passionate and supportive community, and are constantly championing each other’s work. The incredible Hannah Lehmann has just released the second season of her Instagram series ‘The Out There’ with Adolescent content (@theoutthere). Priscilla Doueihy landed a role in an upcoming SBS series ‘The Ropes’, and Adrian Giribon is starring in Seven’s new crime thriller series.
Our producer Sophie Hattch is keeping busy with her second feature film, ‘Sequin in a Blue Room’. And Imogen McCluskey is set to release a music video for Sydney-based artist Ivy-Jane Browne, as well as taking her short film ‘Gem’ to Film Fest Ghent in Belgium later this year. Her upcoming short ‘Surprise Party’ is an ambitious short shot in one-take, and she is working on multiple pilots, including ‘The Ground’ - a sci-fi thriller developed through Screen Australia’s screenwriting initiative, ‘Smart for a Girl’, with producer Imogen Banks (Puberty Blues, Offspring) and Alice Bell (The Slap, The Beautiful Lie).
Interview: June 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Suburban Wildlife
With one week left before the departure of their best friend, a close-knit group of university graduates are left facing decisions that will define the rest of their lives.
Length: 85 min
Director/Co-writer: Imogen McCluskey
Producer: Sophie Hattch
About the writer, director and producer:
IMOGEN MCCLUSKEY is a writer and director based in Sydney, Australia. ‘Suburban Wildlife’ is her debut feature film, after a long list of shorts, including ‘Natural’ – finalist for The Horizon Award supported by Sundance 2018. Her short ‘Gem’ received the EU Film Award and will premiere internationally later this year. In 2017, she was selected for Screen Australia Gender Matters initiative, Smart for a Girl, and produced her first television pilot ‘The Ground’ with Imogen Banks (Offspring, Puberty Blues) and Alice Bell (The Beautiful Lie). She is currently working on a slate of projects across television, music videos, and features and shorts.
SOPHIE HATTCH is a filmmaker based in Sydney. She has produced 3 short films and on worked on 7 others as production designer, editor and assistant director. Sophie has a desire to tell meaningful stories and create films that can inspire others and have a positive impact on the world, with a particular emphasis on championing female voices and characters. ‘Suburban Wildlife’ was her first feature film, and this year completed her second ambitious feature, ‘Sequin in a Blue Room’ by director Sam Van Grinsven.
Key cast: Maddy McWilliam, Hannah Lehmann, Priscilla Doueihy, Alex King, Adrian Giribon, Daniela Haddad, Madeleine Jurd, Emily Havea
Looking for: Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suburbanwildlifefilm/
Funders: Crowdfunded on Pozible by over 50 supporters
Made in association with: Australian Film Television and Radio School
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Currently we’re entering it into international festivals, but are looking for an online release in the future. Check out our trailer, and keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates!