In March 2020, Melbourne changed. We watched as COVID-19 spread around the world, impacting almost every aspect of daily life. This micro-documentary captures that historic moment in time when the Australian city fell silent.

Interview with Director/Producer Jamie van Leeuwen

Watch Melbourne: A City Sleeps on Vimeo

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I created this short film to document the historic period that we've all lived through in 2020. We watched as COVID-19 spread around the world, impacting almost every aspect of daily life. I wanted to capture that historic moment in time when my city fell silent.

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

In cities, we are used to seeing large crowds of people going about their business, it's something else entirely seeing the streets in a state of desertion.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Everyone can relate to this short film, to the uncertainty and eerie quiet that fell over neighbourhoods around the world as we went into lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19.

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

I went out not knowing what footage I was going to capture. I wanted to give an honest depiction of the way the COVID-19 shutdown had impacted my city of Melbourne, Australia. The shutdown impacted different suburbs in different ways - birds and other animals came out and the parks seemed, in a sense, louder and busier than ever - but there was no one in sight.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People have really been struck by the footage of their city in a state of shutdown. 5 million people live in Melbourne and no one has seen the city in such a state of emptiness, or are likely to see it like this again.

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

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

All of the above. This is my first short film so any assistance helps! I'd also like to create a longer version of this short film with all the vision I still have.

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

All of the above. This is my first short film so any assistance helps! I'd also like to create a longer version of this short film with all the vision I still have.

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

When you look back, how will you remember the COVID-19 shutdown in years to come?

Would you like to add anything else?

No, just thanks again guys! Appreciate all your hard work.

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

I'm creating a longer version of this project. I have plenty more vision and would like to make a 10-minute version for broadcast - potentially with a narrator/poets assistance.

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

Melbourne: A City Sleeps

Length: 2:00

Director: Jamie Van Leeuwen

Producer: Jamie Van Leeuwen

Writer: Jamie Van Leeuwen

About the writer, director and producer:

JAMIE VAN LEEUWEN is a filmmaker, photographer and video journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. With a particular passion for sports content, he's created video features for major broadcasters and news outlets around the world. In 2020, Jamie was nominated for an Australian Sports Media Award, while his photograph was chosen as the front cover image for Craig Foster's popular book, Fighting for Hakeem.

Key cast: Filmed, produced and edited by Jamie van Leeuwen

Looking for: journalists, distributors, sales agents, producers, film festival directors, buyers

Facebook: Ripple Digital

Twitter: @jamesvanleeuwe1

Instagram: @ripple_digital

Hashtags used: #RippleDigitalAus #Australia #MelbourneILoveYou #SeeAustralia #MassIsolationAus

Website: www.rippleaus.com

Made in association with: Ripple Digital Australia

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (online screening)- Documentaries are live on Eventive 24/7 from 30th June 2020 till 15th July 2020.