Private Project

Datsun

A 14 year old boy’s Mum plans to sell his deceased Dad’s Datsun, so he decides to take his best friend and younger brother on one last joyride.

  • Mark Albiston
    Director
    Shopping, Six dollar Fifty Man, Run
  • Mark Albiston
    Writer
  • J. Patrick McELroy
    Writer
  • Sharlene George
    Producer
  • Andy Mauger
    Producer
  • Gal Greenspan
    Producer
  • Mickey Reddish
    Key Cast
    "Matt"
  • Billy R. McCarthy
    Key Cast
    "Howie"
  • Tate Harrow
    Key Cast
    "Artie"
  • Ashley Harnett
    Key Cast
    "Elise"
  • Marion Prebble
    Key Cast
    "Mum"
  • Eryn Wilson
    Key Cast
    "Boyfriend"
  • Mat Chamberlain
    Key Cast
    "Policeman"
  • Travis Graham
    Key Cast
    "Car purchaser"
  • William Hemming
    Key Cast
    "Shopkeeper"
  • Mike Tripp
    Key Cast
    "Man in bottle store"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    90,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mark Albiston

In 2007, Albiston received special Distinction in the Cannes Film Festival for his short film Run. Created in collaboration with writer/actor Louis Sutherland, the Film won prizes at a number of other prominent film festivals.

Albiston follow-up with short film The Six Dollar Fifty Man which won the same Jury award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Albiston was the first director to win twice at Cannes in that category. The Film was a break-out hit on the festival circuit. Its tally included winning best International Short at The Sundance Film Festival, a special mention in its section at Berlinale, scooping three awards at the 2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards – including
Best Short – and top prize at the 2010 Australian Flickerfest Festival. The Six Dollar Fifty Man made the 10-strong long-list for the Oscar Academy Awards.

At the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Albiston premiered Shopping, his feature film co-directorial debut. Also created with Louis Sutherland, the Film awards include a Grand Prix at the Berlinale International Film Festival, and seven New Zealand Film Awards. Including Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.

Currently Albiston is completing a feature length film script for The Wall. The Wall was developed alongside his latest short film Datsun which had its world premier at the 2022 Berlinale and competed shortly after in the SXSW Festival. After winning best film at the prestigious Guanajuato International Film Festival 2022, Mexico.and many others, the Film is now in contention for the Oscars.

Marks next Film.

Mark is writing his next feature film The Wall which will be produced by Sweetshop&Green . The Wall has received development funding from the NZ Film Commission.
The Wall is a set in the 1990’s and follows the journey of Matt to find the spirit of Karl, his father who never made it home from his secret pilgrimage to the The Kaimanawa Wall, a natural phenomenon hidden deep in Aoteroa (NZ)’s native forest. Matt, loyal, deep thinker and lover of fantasy forms an unlikely friendship with a teenage thief whose never had a the luxury to dream. Together they go on the run from police and social welfare and Matt’s mom. Together they steal Karl’s car and try to make it to The Wall to find Karl and answers to questions that they’d been too afraid to ask.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My 13 year old son Oli told me last year, that this year everything was going to change. He’d seen his brother Jude go through his first year of High School mixed up in a world of drugs alcohol and kids with a shared death wish. all leading each other to the edge.

I identify with this Film because I have teenage boys and their close friends who are going through the same rite of passage - I can see them hitting the same speed bumps and kinks in the road that I faced not that long ago.Ok maybe a wee while ago.

When I watch my own kids go through the teenage gauntlet, I remember my own time of change. I think Films like this ring true to many of us - that is why this film is a universal story.

This film is about young teenagers 13/14-year old trying to find their way in the world as they come to terms with the loss of their father & their own innocence and carry the weight of becoming a man while being a teenager.

- Mark Albiston