Private Project

Statues

Grief takes shape in stone, and sometimes, it fights back...

As a storm brews overhead, brothers Marcus and Oliver Cellini return to their share house following the funeral of their grandmother, Annabelle Cellini. Inside, they’re reunited with their housemates, Steph and James - two drifters numbed by a haze of hallucinogens.

But the homecoming takes a disturbing turn when Oliver (adopted brother) discovers lifelike, Greek-style statues of himself and Marcus mysteriously placed in the backyard. Their presence begins to stir something deep and unspoken between the brothers, unearthing unresolved tensions and conflicting responses to grief.

As paranoia and mistrust grow, their fragile bond begins to fray. What starts as quiet discomfort escalates into emotional unraveling, until their hardened masculine façades finally collapse, revealing long-buried vulnerability.

Just as a moment of connection breaks through the silence, a sudden bolt of lightning strikes - breathing life into the statues. Inside the house, Marcus and Oliver now come face to face with their uncanny, emotionless doubles. In their most vulnerable state, they’re overtaken - drained of life by the very figures that mirrored their former selves.

At dawn, Steph wakes from her drugged stupor to find new statues in the garden: herself and James, immortalised in stone beside the remnants of the Cellini brothers.

  • Ripley Stevens
    Director
    "Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation" (Award-winning feature), "Brother (Award-winning short), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" (Web-series)
  • Ripley Stevens
    Writer
    "Nole: The Christmas Killer (Episode 2)" (Web-series 2024), "Confession" (2022)
  • Ryan Davies
    Producer
    "TOBY" (Award-winning short), "Gate/s" (festival placing short film), "HOMESTEADERS" (Award-winning)
  • Myles McEwen
    Key Cast
    "Marcus"
    Co-lead: Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation (Award-winning feature), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" web-series (lead), "Going South" - feature film (voice role), "Brother" (Co-lead) - (Award-winning short)
  • Ripley Stevens
    Key Cast
    "Olli"
    Co-lead: Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation (Award-winning feature), "Brother" (Co-lead) - (Award-winning short), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" web-series (lead)
  • Alexandra Todorashko
    Key Cast
    "Steph"
    "Mary in the Mirror" (Award-winning short), "Look at Me" (award-winning)
  • Jack Rawlinson
    Key Cast
    "James"
    Switch (Lead role in upcoming Theatrical Release + Distribution Feature Film), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" (Web-series), "Nightfall: A Paranormal investigation (supporting role) (Award-winning feature), "Look at Me" (Award-winning)
  • Tiina McEwen
    Key Cast
    "Annabelle Cellini"
    "Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation" (Award-winning Feature), "ERA by TONIX MUSIC VIDEO"
  • Cam Liu
    Director of Photography
    "Gate/s" (festival placing), "HOMESTEADERS" (Award-winning), "these days won't last forever" (2024), "across the sea" (2024),
  • Charlie Rowe
    1st AC / Art Department Assistant
    "Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation" (Award-winning Feature), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" (2023)
  • Amelia Rooney
    Composer
    "Bimbo" (award-winning theatre show), "Crush" (2023), "king." (2022)
  • Robert Baulderstone
    Sound Recordist & Runner
    "TOBY" (Award-winning short), "Gate/s" (festival placing short film), "Temptation" (2017) , "Gates" ( 2024 - Festival Placing Film)
  • Myles McEwen
    Post-Production
    Co-lead: Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation (Award-winning feature), "Nole: The Christmas Killer" web-series (lead), "Going South" - feature film (voice role), "Brother" (DP + Post) - (Award-winning short), "Fortis" (Feature film), "Switch" (Feature Film), "Ben Lavery" (Festival placing short)
  • Brad McCarthy
    Distribution & Marketing
    "Emotion is Dead," "Numbered Lives," "Offstage," Etiquette," "Flunk TV Series."
  • The Tullamarines
    End Credits Song
  • Bailey Lock
    Script Editor
  • Myles McEwen
    Assistant Writer / Concept / Producer
  • Ten Twelve Films Pty Ltd
    Production Companies
  • Winter Pines Film Group
    Production Companies
  • Fortiego Films
    Production Companies
  • Vinny Walsh Films
    Production Companies
  • Vipop Coombs
    Aerial Photography
  • Jack Rawlinson
    Acting Coach
  • Adelaide City Council
    Special Thanks
  • Margaret Southwood
    Special Thanks
  • Bill & Tiina McEwen
    Special Thanks
  • The Stevens Family
    Special Thanks
  • Rachel Whitford
    Special Thanks
  • Sebastian James
    Special Thanks
  • Fiona O'Loughlin
    Special Thanks
  • Ryan Davies
    Special Thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Coming of age, Drama, Horror, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Distribution Information
  • Vinny Walsh Films
    Sales Agent
    Country: Australia
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ripley Stevens

Variety compared the South Australian directing duo to “James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s work, positioning McEwen and Stevens as part of a new wave of Australian horror filmmakers” (Variety). Hailed by Fear Forever as “another Adelaide superpower on our hands,” likening them to the viral sensation "RackaRacka,” the duo have achieved international success with Black Mandala Films. Their debut feature film Nightfall sold internationally following a highly successful festival run, with Myles’ cinematography labelled as “spectacular,” where the "talent in McEwen as a DP is beyond anything" (Fear Forever).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A hybrid of psychological horror and intimate drama, Statues blurs the line between reality and the uncanny.

From an ensemble, award-winning Australian cast and crew, I’m proud to present this deeply personal and vulnerable short film. Inspired by my own experiences with loss, including the death of a mutual friend by suicide, Statues seeks to spark important conversations about grief, masculinity, and connection.

Shot over a transformative ten-day shoot across South Australia, the film’s visuals were processed through internal ‘film out’ colour grading — a 35mm film emulation process — to give depth, saturation, and contrast reminiscent of true Fujifilm stock. South Australian composer Amelia Rooney crafted a profoundly organic and emotional score that enhances the story’s intimacy and impact.

At the heart of the story are two brothers, guided by a powerful feminine force embodied by Annabelle Cellini. Alexandra Todorashko delivers a haunting performance as Steph in the film’s unforgettable final sequence. These feminine perspectives shape a profound exploration of masculinity, identity, and vulnerability.

Finally, Myles McEwen delivers a career-defining performance as Marcus, a role sure to attract festival attention.

I would like to thank Winter Pines Film Group, 10:12, Vinny Walsh Films, and Fortiego Films for making this film possible. Special thanks to 27 Music for allowing us to include Running on Empty by Triple J-praised band The Tullamarines. These diverse, heartfelt collaborations - much like the characters in the film - make Statues a must-see Australian film.