Calloused Hearts

A confronting drama about the harsh reality of domestic violence in rural Australia, told through the eyes of a confused adolescent boy.

  • Clancy Sinnamon
    Director
  • Clancy Sinnamon
    Writer
  • Erin Cutts
    Producer
  • Jake Harrison
    Key Cast
  • Max Mckay
    Key Cast
  • Mark Myers
    Key Cast
  • Bronwyn Schmerl
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 49 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • West End Film Festival
    Brisbane
    Australia
    May 28, 2017
    Best Cinematography
Director Biography - Clancy Sinnamon

2015 will mark the ten-year anniversary of Clancy Sinnamon's film making career. His dedication to the industry combined with his wild imagination and ability to tell a story has seen him succeed to date. Now, through his Film and Television Degree at Bond University, Clancy has and is still looking to further develop the skills and expertise necessary to share his stories with the rest of the world. Having worked on six Graduation films, directed numerous short films and a music video, it is now Clancy's turn to capture the audience's attention with his film on the topical issue of Domestic Violence. Clancy has developed a very powerful visual style which uses his personal connection with the Australian outback to enhance his narrative.

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Director Statement

Calloused Hearts is a story which is very close to my heart. Having personally grown up on a farm 6 hours drive west of the Gold Coast, I know all too well the dangers of living in a rural household where help is never close by. I not only wrote this film with the objective of drawing attention to the ever increasing issue of domestic violence, particularly in rural and remote locations, but to highlight the amazing courage and resilience many show when living with the short and long term effects of domestic violence.

A true passion project for the cast, crew and local community, Calloused Hearts is more then just your average short film. The 16-person team travelled over 400km from the Gold Coast to live and work on my family’s property, spending 6 days on set shooting the breathtaking footage that forms our film. It was an event which brought the Maranoa Regional Council area together. With local schools, families and work places all uniting to assist; donating home baked goods, amenities and their services. Not only has our film educated and enriched the community through the medium of film, we even cast a local actor (Jake Harrison) as the lead character, but it seeks to put the quiet, cattle-grazing district of 62 occupants, on the world stage by encapsulating the incredible natural beauty of the Australian outback.