Private Project

Blue Canaries

A scorching Christmas night.
An anguished teenager teetering on the edge.
A fiery, quick-tempered rookie in pursuit.
A battle-tested senior officer navigating the chaos.
A pulse-pounding standoff that can’t be ignored.
Uncover the gripping tale behind their clash –
because the journey to that moment is the true story.

  • Andy Lane
    Director
  • Luke Mounsey
    Director
  • Andy Lane
    Writer
  • Luke Mounsey
    Writer
  • Andy Lane
    Producer
  • Luke Mounsey
    Producer
  • Veronica Sive
    Producer
    Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, The Wheel
  • Tahlee Fereday
    Key Cast
  • David Burnstock
    Key Cast
  • Miles Rubae
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 29 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 29, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Bounty
    Distributor
    Country: Australia
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: New Zealand
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Andy Lane, Luke Mounsey

LUKE MOUNSEY & ANDY LANE met whilst completing a Masters of Screenwriting at the VCA, where they both freelance as mentors and lecturers. They have co-written, produced, and edited 1000+ hrs of sport and factual TV that has screened internationally on platforms like ESPN, A&E, and DAZN. BLUE CANARIES is their first foray into narrative fiction.

Andy is a former musician who moved into filmmaking. His shorts have screened at festivals like the LA Comedy Shorts Fest, Crystal Palace, and the Geelong Film Festival. He has also made music videos for artists like Briggs and Sietta. He continues to mentor screenwriting students while working on screenplays and novels.

Luke was formerly a high school teacher in London where he witnessed all sorts of depravity and debauchery. He then worked as a special needs teacher in Melbourne, in a class of 100+kg boys with past histories of extreme violence and aggression before transitioning into writing.

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Director Statement

Taking their cue from the street level films of 1970’s New York, the low-budget production model of Blumhouse, and the micro-budget ethos of the Duplass Brothers, writer/directors Mounsey & Lane have achieved something remarkable. Made with the goodwill, talent, and equipment provided by their team and local communities, BLUE CANARIES is a bold and evocative Melbourne-noir, populated by colourful characters, seedy settings, and keen insight. The visuals take full advantage of practical lighting (Christmas decorations, police lights, street lamps, passing cars, etc.) to juxtapose the all-encompassing darkness of the night and their situation with bright clashes of panic, love, rage, and regret. The soundtrack, comprised of Melbourne musician Joelistic’s synth-based score and songs from some of Australia‘s strongest emerging artists, plays a perfect contemporary counterpoint to the emotion on-screen.