Perth Voice Interactive

THERE’S a couple of solid locally-made films lighting up The Backlot’s screens this month.

Stubbornly Here follows three high school students who run away from home when teenagers start mysteriously vanishing without a trace. Their escape takes them to a secluded motel, where they grapple with the uncertainties of their predicament and the challenges of growing up.

Director Taylor Broadley shot the film in black and white and a 4:3 aspect ratio that harks back to the early days of cinema, lending it a timeless, nostalgic quality. It picked up best low-budget feature at the 2024 WA Screen Culture Awards.

Broadley is a versatile artist whose work spans film, theatre and music, and focuses on deeply personal and emotionally resonant stories, harking back to his early days in musical theatre composition. 

Ghost

Over his career, Broadley has contributed to more than 30 film and theatre productions as director, producer or production designer, including the short films I Am Ghost (2021) and The Coal County Annual Sword Fight (2024). He composed and directed the original musicals The Killdeer and A Boy Wanted To, both staged at The State Theatre Centre.

Stubbornly Here is screening on Sunday, January 12, from 2 – 4pm at The Backlot.

The Canary is a 2024 Western Australian feature film written, directed and starring Emilie Lowe from Salt and Honey Productions, which picked up a swag of monthly medals at the New York International Film Festival last November, including best actor and first-time director, best original story, best costumes and best historical drama. 

Set in the 19th century, the narrative follows Florence, who survives a shipwreck but finds herself adrift with only a lifeboat and a caged canary – a far more companionable passenger than a tiger!

The film delves into her journey of resilience as she navigates the vast ocean and the challenging Australian wilderness, confronting societal norms and personal trials along the way.

Lowe said they wanted to use unique WA locations, so filmed on the STS Leeuwin prior to it being damaged by a cargo ship during blustery weather last August, the Brig Amity in Albany and the South West’s forests.

“The period nature of the film was vital for the story, showing that themes of the 1800s are still highly relevant to many members of society today,” she said.

She said The Canary was a tale of perseverance, determination and defying the odds, which was mirrored by the tiny crew of just four, who put together the feature on a micro-budget of just $10,000 while facing WA’s scorching weather and Covid lockdowns. At one point during filming, Lowe came close to being blown out to sea as strong winds pushed the lifeboat offshore and far from her colleagues.

“Creating this film brought with it a set of challenges, but I learnt so much through the process.

“I live and breathe film, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience of working with our tiny team to achieve our vision.

“It can be easy to become discouraged when you have very limited resources at your disposal. 

“But if you can get creative with what you have available, to think outside the box, and create something of your own through hard-work and determination, is such a rewarding experience. 

“I would love to encourage other emerging filmmakers to get out there and take risks. 

“If you have a unique vision, give it everything you have and go for it! 

“WA has so much to offer, and we are lucky enough to be able to capture it.”

Cinematography was led by legally blind filmmaker Peter Renzullo, who, despite having only 3 per cent vision, has been active in cinematography and sound design for over seven years. Lowe says his participation also reinforced the film’s themes of self-acceptance and perseverance.

The film has been praised for embodying the true spirit of independent filmmaking, with Cinema Australia founder and Voice production manager Matt Eeles describing the effort to put it together with such a small cast and budget as “impressive”.

The Canary is screening on Saturday January 18 from 7.30pm.