Flickerfest 2019 - Birdie
On a bright, ordinary day a woman walks alone to the train station. As she descends the stairs to the underground platform she smiles at a young man. He smiles back. With the smallest of gestures, the woman is caught in a subtle and sinister game.
Interview with Writer/Director Shelly Lauman
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It was a story that had been with me for quite some time and I was looking for a platform with which to make it. I had just moved back to Australia from living in the States and found the ADG / Metro Screen Production Fellowship, so Lizzie and I applied and we got it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
For women watching, I hope it offers a sense of recognition and acknowledge of something that we negotiate every day. For men, I kinda hope it does the same. I hope it makes the audience feel and creates a shared experience.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Mmmm... what are those themes... Fear. The feeling of being trapped. The sense of loss of power. The knowing of the ordinary every day. I think Birdie is talking to all of these. Birdie is the story of a moment really. A moment that encompasses those ideas and feelings.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
There was quite a lot of development, to refine and pare everything back to the essential. Which we achieved. It (the script) was a strong scaffold so that once we were in the editing room, we could throw it away and work from from what was in front of us.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I think people have related and appreciated it. Definitely comments on how tense the story is.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, not really. Like I said, some people really respond with appreciation, for others it has made them angry, and others disinterest and confusion. Once the film is made and in front of an audience, it kind of becomes anew and something unto itself. I respect each individual experience of the film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Just that right! Bringing new perspectives and points of view into the light and conversation. I hope Birdie is a part of that.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We've had an awesome period of success this last few months. The film was purchased by Fox Searchlight, which was huge and wonderful. We would love to screen at further film festivals. I love film festivals. We have yet to secure our European premiere, so that would be lovely.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Just as it has been really. People responding genuinely and authentically and the film being part of a bigger conversation.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Mmmm good question... anything that makes someone question what they think they know about another's experience.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working on developing my first feature and Lizzie is completing her first feature while also working on a feature length documentary. Everyone is working which is great.
Interview: January 2019
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
BIRDIE
On a bright, ordinary day a woman walks alone to the train station. As she descends the stairs to the underground platform she smiles at a young man. He smiles back. With the smallest of gestures, the woman is caught in a subtle and sinister game.
Length: 8 mins
Director: Shelly Lauman
Producer: Lizzie Cater
Writer: Shelly Lauman
About the writer, director and producer:
SHELLY LAUMAN (writer, director) earned her MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Richard P Rogers Spirit of Excellence Award. Her latest film BIRDIE premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and was acquired by Fox Searchlight. Her other films include WOMAN OUTSIDE (2016), LUNCHBOX (2015) and TWO DUCKS (2009).
LIZZIE CATER (producer) is a freelance creative producer and one half of production company, Everyone We Know, together with long-time collaborator Thomas Wilson-White. She has an independent feature film THE GREENHOUSE and two short films FISH RIVER and ST AUGUSTINE in post, and produced short documentary ONLY DIFFERENT for ABC iView and short film SHADOW SELF which won a Vimeo Video of the Day Award.
Key cast: Maeve Dermody, Sam Parsonson, Joshua Brennan, Lynette Curran, Eden Falk
Social media handles: @shshshelly @lizziecater
Funders: Australian Director’s Guild, Screen Australia, Create NSW
Where can I watch it next: the film will be travelling to Castlemaine, and we’ll go live on the Fox Searchlight viewing platforms and social media in the coming months too.