Experiencing Interruptions?

Animal

On a property in rural Australia, a son's struggle with his father's growing decrepitude and hypocrisy coils itself to an explosive showdown.

Animal explores questions of masculinity and family in a world where survival isn’t something worth shouting about. It’s just something that’s always there to be dealt with.

  • Henry Young
    Director
    0-0-0
  • Henry Young
    Writer
    0-0-0
  • Alastair Osment
    Key Cast
    Top Of The Lake: China Girl (BBC One, Sundance TV), Rake (ABC, Netflix), Deadline Gallipoli (Foxtel, NBC), Home and Away (7 Network)
  • Peter Hayes
    Key Cast
    Prisoner (ABC), Whitlam: The Power and the Passion, Home and Away (7 Network), A Country Practice
  • Dean Meacham
    Cinematography
    SAWS
  • Henry Young
    Producer
    0-0-0
  • Alastair Osment
    Producer
    A Note to Self
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family, Australian, Thriller, Australian Gothic
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    2,800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, R3D 4.5k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Austin Revolution Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    September 21, 2018
    North American Premiere
    Best World Short
Director Biography - Henry Young

Writer and director Henry Young is an Australian filmmaker and graduated from AFTT. During his study he was heavily influenced by mentors David Caesar, Lynn Hegarty and Jonathan Wald. Born in Bingara, NSW and now based in Sydney. He divides his time working as a freelance editor and director, whilst writing and creating content. He is currently producing a TV series, intended for online distribution as well as developing a number of long and short form projects.

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Director Statement

What happens when you witness your role model fail?

That’s the core question that persists in ANIMAL - How does masculinity function in times of confusion and transition? ANIMAL filters my fears and frustrations from watching my father’s vision deteriorate as I settled into adulthood.

This is a deeply personal film. Shot on my family’s and neighbouring properties. Made possible by my parents’ patience. The film exploits the Australian Gothic tradition in order to examine a deeply personal struggle between a father and son.

ANIMAL intends to absorb and harrow its audience. It is a film of brutal elegance, where Father, Son and Landscape struggle on a daily basis.