A short documentary exploring the bizarre, yet supportive role of a Death Cafe, where strangers meet to discuss all forms of life and death, to form some closure about their recently-departed loved-ones.

Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Austin Salt-Cowell

Watch Death Cafe on Vimeo

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Following the recent death of my best friend's father, I had learnt that she attended a community group in the UK, known as a ‘death cafe’. Like many, I had never heard of such a thing. It did, however, pique my interest in researching. After a few weeks, I realised that these cafes were present all around the world, so I ventured out to find one in New Zealand.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Christchurch – a city I believe is in need of redemption. After the battering earthquakes and recent shooting, it’s a community that is attempting to rebuild an identity. Although many of its residents have since left, the ones that stay are resilient and very willing to speak up for their city. The more time I spent listening to their experiences, the more I realised how essential a death cafe is to these individuals. The making of the film not only put me in touch with a fascinating community of people, it also gave me a much wider understanding of the current social issues that New Zealand tackles every single day.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

With the worldwide pandemic locking entire communities down, the notion of discussing topics such as death, illness and loss with one another is relevant now more than ever. Although we shot the film in the months before COVID-19 (unaware of how impactful this event would become), in post-production I felt it was appropriate to follow-up and recognise the worldwide struggle. Despite this, Christchurch is the unspoken character of this film. A city that’s making the difference, always standing up for change and progression.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The film started as a simple look into this community of death discussions. After months of coffee, cake and death, I realised there was something more than just a simple observational-approach. Instead, I hand-picked three attendees to focus on, allowing each one to share experiences in their life, as well as what their views and focus are on for the future of their own death. This led me to gather a much wider understanding of death, leading to the hope that audiences can each relate and engage with a character featured in the film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Various feedback from friends, colleagues, as well as ex-BBC journalists.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Some of the feedback was very constructive. I've found those that work in the film industry have points to make on the structure, story and tone, which is very valuable. Whereas others who are less film-savvy will always bring up character and pin-point preferred moments that should stay.

I've found far more success in the past if I evenly send cuts of the film to both corners, making the feedback balanced, fair and endlessly productive.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I look to share the story of the Death Cafe, reimagine the image of Christchurch, as well as make the discussion of death a necessary norm for our generation and the next.

Behind the scenes of Death Cafe - Austin (Director), Hans (Camera) and Aaron (Sound) shooting a scene with Rosie.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Buyers / Distributors = I can see this as a film on BBC3 or VICE's online platforms. It's a current topic that's relevant now more than ever in the wake of COVID-19

Film Festival Directors, Journalists = So I can build an audience of reviews/acceptance into festivals, both domestic and international.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope that people will be intrigued by the subject matter, because of its bizarre concept. But then upon watching it through, I aim to make them care for these peoples' stories, believe in the open-minded discussion of death, maybe even inspiring them to go and open-up with their own friends and family.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How do we talk about death?

Would you like to add anything else?

I'd just like to say thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to promote my film on your incredible platform. I think what you're doing is really inspirational and I can't wait to see what more projects are going to be added!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Austin Salt-Cowell (Director, Producer & Editor) = Focusing on gathering stories for future NZ-related documentaries as well as building Director / Editor portfolio: www.austinsaltcowell.com

Jeff McDonald (Exec. Producer / Camera) = recently appointed CEO of FilmForChange: filmforchange.org.nz/about

Interview: July 2020

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

Death Cafe

Length: 17:10

Director: Austin Salt-Cowell

Producer: Austin Salt-Cowell

About the writer, director and producer:

AUSTIN SALT-COWELL is a filmmaker based in Wellington, New Zealand. Born and raised in the UK, he spent his formative years closely following the broadcasting of Louis Theroux’s journalistic documentaries on BBC. After graduating from the University of Westminster in 2016, Austin set out around the world, to find his own style of strange subjects to tackle.

Looking for: film festival directors, distributors, journalists

Facebook: Austin Salt-Cowell

Instagram: @ascfilm

Hashtags used: #deathcafe #deathcafenz #documentary #shortdocumentary #shortfilm #nz #newzealand #2020 #canon #lowbudget

Website: www.austinsaltcowell.com

Other: IMDb, Vimeo

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? RPM Media - July/August 2020 Online Premiere for RPM; NZ / International Film Festivals - 2020 to 2021; ShowMeShorts/NZ - (TBC); TopOfTheSouth - (TBC); Vimeo - Late 2020.