Private Project

Alice Be Curious

Alice Be Curious is inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It follows the story of Alice, out of work, suffering from depression and drug addiction and determined to search for a freedom from the trappings of reality and illness. From reality to fantasy the film chronicles Alice's experiences as she faces her darkest temptations in a magical and fantastical world.

  • Christopher Maher
    Director
  • Kate Harris
    Writer
  • Christopher Maher
    Writer
  • Kate Harris
    Producer
  • Christopher Maher
    Producer
  • Ryan d’Argeavel
    Key Cast
    "The Hatter"
  • Kate Harris
    Key Cast
    "Alice"
  • Sandra d’Argeavel
    Key Cast
    "Mouse"
  • Christopher Maher
    Key Cast
    "Cheshire "
  • Michael Harris
    Key Cast
    "The Clown"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Christopher Maher

Christopher Paul Maher grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. He made his first film when he was fourteen, an experimental film with a camera he hired from a local rental store for twenty four hours. From this moment Christopher has worked tirelessly to fashion his own film and photographic legacies.

Christopher studied Film, History and English Literature at the Australian National University. It was here that he was introduced to some of his greatest influences, including Goddard, Malle, Menzel, Wenders, Fellini, Rossellini, Chaplin, Wilder, Welles and of course Hitchcock, who Christopher cites as his greatest influence.

Christopher is an experienced writer, director, editor and sound designer, and enjoys the challenge of perfecting his art in all of these field and continues to strive to ensure the best possible work with what he has.

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Director Statement

Alice Be Curious was a very long process for us, filmed in Canberra, ACT and country NSW, Australia, over a number of years. We did try once before with this piece but with the birth of our children the post production on the film stalled and the film spent many years on the shelf. We are now extremely proud to present the full film after such a long time of much of a muchness.

Kate and I wanted to explore a work around a girl who suffers from addiction which propels her into a magical, frightening and supernatural world, based on the work of Lewis Carroll, one our favourite authors. We were intrigued by the idea that it is Alice’s own temptations, being controlled by addictions, that in effect creates the desperate need for redemption and how she as a character responds.

Throughout pre and post production we were living in country NSW, Australia on the outskirts of the capital, among all of these beautiful locations and I guess we felt we had found our own kind of Wonderland. We were passionate about bringing this film to the screen and sharing with you a story of a girl who needs to overcome her darkest temptations to find satisfaction in the real world.

We hope you are curious and fall in love with Alice like I did.