Private Project

The Couple Across the Way

John and Abbie meet through mutual friends at their local pub in a small coastal town in Australia. Sparks fly between them and the two quickly begin to date. As their relationship progresses, they struggle to find ways to communicate their feelings. This lack of communication culminates when a life-changing decision arises that the pair must make together.

  • Archie Waterson
    Director
  • Archie Waterson
    Writer
  • Molly Humphreys
    Producer
  • Ruby Gudenswager
    Key Cast
    "Abbie Mitchell"
  • Lewis Remy Ziebarth
    Key Cast
    "John Goddard"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 12, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,375 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (ARRI)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Griffith University
Director Biography - Archie Waterson

Archie Waterson is a writer/director from the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Although the Sunshine Coast is not a place associated with the making of films; Archie’s family had a major influence on his need to tell stories. His Dad and older brother’s telling of stories at local pubs or around the dinner table eventually soaked into his skin so much, that he felt he needed to find a career where you can do just that.
Following his big year in 2022, where his documentary ‘The Diamond from Sierra Leone’ and his web-series, ‘Polyamorous’, both were selected for various film festivals around Australia.
Archie’s run of work continues with his debut short film ‘The Couple Across the Way’, a drama/comedy about two people from his hometown of the Sunshine Coast, following along as they go through the many stages of their tumultuous relationship.

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Director Statement

Initially when writing 'The Couple Across the Way' I was inspired to write a satirical comedy film. I wanted to portray an un-romantic love story of two people from my hometown of the Sunshine Coast. The further I got into writing the story though, I found myself having a lot of empathy for the characters and it began to shape into a lot more of a dramatic piece. The film blends my love for the romance and intimacy of European films such as 'Scenes from A Marriage' by Inmar Bergman and 'Breathless' by Jean Luc Goddard, with the very unromanticized state of my hometown and some of the people who live there.