The Widow
Melbourne, Australia in 1965, a Sicilian widow fights for her life when members of the local Calabrian mafia murder her husband and try to seize control of his produce business. God forgives...Sicilian women don't!
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Brendan YoungDirectorWild Planet (Redux, 2011); You Only Live Twice - The Incredibly True Story Of The Hughes Family (Documentary, 2010); Love And Anarchy - There Wild Wild World Of Jaimie Leonarder (Documentary, 2002); Three Chords And A Wardrobe (Short Film, 1998); Wild Planet (Short Film, 1989)
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Brendan YoungWriter
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Brendan YoungProducer
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Catherine McQuadeProducer
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Daniela FarinacciKey Cast"Luisa"Lantana (2001); Josh Jarman (2004); Look Both Ways (2005); Little Fish (2005); My Year Without Sex( 2009); Lou (2010); Glitch ( 2015) Netflix series
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Steve BastoniKey Cast"Antonio"The Lighthorsemen (1987); The Magistrate (1989); The Heartbreak Kid (1993); Wanted (1997); 15 Amore (1998); The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002); Matrix Reloaded (2003); Man-Thing (2005); Suburban Mayhem ( 2006); Drift ( 2013); The Water Diviner ( 2014)
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Joe PetruzziKey Cast"Domenico"Devil's Playground (TV Mini-Series) (2014); Rush (TV Series) 2008-2011; Big Mamma's Boy (2011); Salem's Lot (TV Series) (2004);Love's Brother (2004);On the Beach (TV Movie) (2000);The Violent Earth (TV Mini-Series) (1998); Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage (TV Movie) (1993); Citizen Cohn (TV Movie) (1992); The Mambo Kings (1992)
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Frank LotitoKey Cast"Mario"The Doctor Blake Mysteries (TV Series) (2017); Broken Ghost (2017);The Lookalike (2014); Big Mamma's Boy (2011); Neighbours (TV Series) (2005); Samurai in the Backseat (Short) (2004);Yellow Brick Dreams (Short) (2004); The Secret Life of Us (TV Series) (2003)
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Nick CaraffaKey Cast"Nello"Neighbours (TV Series) (1985-2016); Winners & Losers (TV Series) (2016); The Shumps (TV Series) (2013); Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (TV Series) (2012); Rush (TV Series) (2008); Blue Heelers (TV Series) (1996-2005); State Coroner (TV Series) (1997-1998); Halifax f.p. (TV Series) ( 1995-1997); Mission: Impossible (TV Series) (1990);Hungry Heart (1987);Prisoner (TV Series) (1986); Burke & Wills (1985)
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Vincenzo D'Amico (aka Vince D'Amico)Key Cast"Angelo"Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (TV Series) (2015); Big Mamma's Boy (2011) The Kings of Mykonos (2010); The Sleepover Club (TV Series) (2003); Blue Heelers (TV Series) (1996-2003); Stingers (TV Series) 1996-2003); Let's Get Skase (2001); The Wog Boy (2000);
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Luke RyanKey Cast"Ron"The Doctor Blake Mysteries (TV Series) (2014); Dave's Dead (Short) (2012); Outland (TV Series) ( 2012); Cop Hard (TV Series) (2011); City Homicide (TV Series) ( 2010-2011); Bed of Roses (TV Series) ( 2011); Numurkah (Short) (2008)
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Wayne AistropeCinematography
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Brendan YoungEditor
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Catherine McQuadeMusic Score
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Frank LotitoExecutive ProducerBroken Ghost (producer) (2017); Lean (Short) (producer) (2015); Good Ol' Boy (producer) (2015); The Lookalike (producer) (2014); Big Mamma's Boy (producer) (2011); Stefano's Cooking Paradiso (TV Series) (series producer - 2009) ;
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Peter MillerSound DesignerArt in the Twenty-First Century (TV Series documentary) (sound - 1 episode) ( 2016); Walking with Dinosaurs 3D (sound effects editor) (2013); Adore (sound designer) (2013); Rango (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor) (2011); Needle (sound designer) ( 2010); Catch a Fire (sound editor) / (sound effects editor) (2006); Jindabyne (sound effects editor) (2006); In the Cut (sound designer) (2003); The Ring (sound designer) (2002)
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Drama, Crime, Thriller, Film Noir, Romance, Action, Suspense, Foreign Language
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Runtime:28 minutes 30 seconds
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Completion Date:October 2, 2018
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Production Budget:16,000 USD
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Country of Origin:Australia
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Country of Filming:Australia
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Language:English, Italian
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Shooting Format:Digital Arri Alexa 2K
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Black & White
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Amarcort Film FestivalRimini, Emilia-Romagna
Italy
November 16, 2018
World Premiere
Award: Migliore Interpretazione (Best Performances) A collective cast accolade. -
LA Crime and Horror Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
November 17, 2018
North American Premiere
Award: Best Original Music Score -
Rome Independent Prisma AwardsRome
Italy
December 4, 2018
Semi-Finalist -
Spello International Short Film FestivalSpello, Umbria
Italy
February 26, 2019
Regional premiere
Official Selection -
Independent Shorts AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
March 15, 2019
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Film Noir; Best Actress; Best Original Film Score -
Golden State Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
March 26, 2019
Official Selection -
Indie Short FestLos Angeles, California
United States
March 30, 2019
Award: Best Film Noir; Nominee: Best Crime Film; Best Thriller, Best Action Film, Best Actress; Best Costume Design -
WorldFest Houston International Film FestivalHouston, Texas
United States
April 6, 2019
Awards: Platinum REMI Award Suspense/Thriller - shorts; Platinum REMI Award Music Score - shorts -
Arizona International Film FestivalTuscon, Arizona
United States
April 20, 2019
Official Selection -
Rochester International Film FestivalRochester, New York
United States
May 11, 2019
Award: Shoestring Trophy -
Georgia Shorts Film FestivalAtlanta
United States
June 15, 2019
Official Selection -
Silicon Beach Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
June 17, 2019
Nominee: Best Short Film -
River Film FestivalPadua
Italy
June 23, 2019
Official Selection -
IndieX Film FestLos Angeles
United States
June 28, 2019
Award: Best Supporting Actor ; Nominee: Best Actress; Best Crime Film -
Jersey Shore Film FestivalDeal, New Jersey
United States
June 28, 2019
Award: Best International Short Film -
Genre Celebration FestivalTokyo
Japan
June 27, 2019
Japanese Premiere
Award: Best Noir Short; Nominee: Best Cinematography, Best Music Score -
Revelation Perth International Film FestivalPerth, Western Australia
Australia
July 5, 2019
Australian Premiere
Official Selection -
Hollywood South Film FestivalSpringfield, Kentucky
United States
July 5, 2019
Awards: Best Actress - Short Film; Best Foreign Thriller Short Film (tied with Ordinary Everyday) -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
July 6, 2019
Award: Best Director Short Film -
Hollywood Blood Horror FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
July 6, 2019
Awards: Best Actress; Best Crime Short -
Miami Independent Film FestivalMiami, Florida
United States
July 27, 2019
Award: Best Short Narrative -
Hollywood Verge Film AwardsLos Angeles
United States
July 17, 2019
Nominee: Best Short Film; Best Short Drama; Best Production Design; Best Actress -
Venus Italian International Film FestivalLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
July 30, 2019
Awards: Best Actress- Short Film; Special Jury Award - Best Film Noir; Nominee: Best Director - International Short film -
Moscow ShortsMoscow
Russian Federation
July 30, 2019
Official Selection -
San Antonio Film FestivalSan Antonio
United States
August 1, 2019
Official Selection -
South Film and Arts Academy FestivalRancagua, O'Higgins
Chile
August 18, 2019
Awards: Best Crime Short Film; Best Lead Actress in A Short Film; Best Cinematography In A Short Film; Supporting Actor In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Team Performance In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Production In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; Costume Design In A Short Film - Honorable Mention; -
GenreBlast IV - Film Fest & Script ContestWinchester, Virginia
United States
August 31, 2019
Official Selection - Nominee: Best Actress - Short Film; Best Director Short Film; Best Short Film -
Two Roads International Film FestivalBrooklyn, New York
United States
September 7, 2019
Awards: Best Short Film (Inspiration Competition); Best Actress; Best Writing; Best Period Piece; Best International Film - Nominations: Best Supporting Actor; Best Director (Inspiration Competition); Best Cinematography. -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint-Vincent, Valle d'Aosta
Italy
October 9, 2019
Awards: Best Actress; Best Director; Best Noir Film, Best Thriller. Nomination: Best Short film -
Apocalypse Later International Fantastic Film FestivalPhoenix, Arizona
United States
October 13, 2019
Official Selection -
The Cutting Room International Short Film Festival NYCNew York, New York
United States
October 20, 2019
Awards: Best International Short Drama; Best International Actress - Nominations: Best International Actor; Best International Cinematography; Best International Director -
Cardiff International Film FestivalCardiff, Wales
United Kingdom
October 26, 2019
Official Selection -
Short Film FactoryBucharest
Romania
November 1, 2019
Award: Short Film Factory Festival Award -
Weyauwega International Film FestivalWeyauwega, Wisconsin
United States
November 15, 2019
Official Selection -
Reel East Texas Film FestivalKilgore, Texas
United States
November 15, 2019
Nominee: Best Foreign Short Film -
Creation International Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
November 30, 2019
Awards: Best In Show; Best Crime Drama- Short; Best Cinematography - Short; Best Lighting - Short; Best Sound Design - Short; Best Supporting Actor - Short. -
Sound & Image Challenge International FestivalMacau
China
December 9, 2019
Nominee: Best Fiction. -
X World Short Film FestivalRome
Italy
December 28, 2019
Awards: Best Actress - Thriller; Best Actor - Thriller; Best Director Excellence - Thriller; Best Cinematography - Thriller; Best Poster - Thriller -- Nominations: Best Short - Thriller; Best Trailer -
Feel The Reel International Film FestivalIasi
Romania
January 15, 2020
Awards: (awarded on October 26th (Best Of The Fest ( Best Film); Best Screenplay; Best Actress; Nominations: Best Director; Best Cinematography; Best Music Score. -
Flickerfest International Short Film FestivalSydney
Australia
January 15, 2020
New South Wales premiere
Official Selection -
International Short AwardsCesena, Emilia-Romagna
Italy
January 29, 2020
Official Selection -
Dumbo Film FestivalNew York
United States
February 9, 2020
Semi-Finalist -
BEST ACTOR AWARDAosta
Italy
February 22, 2020
Award: Outstanding Performance - Daniela Farinacci (overall top honour) -
New York Movie AwardsNew York
United States
February 23, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Actress, Best Original Score and Honorable Mention- Production Design -
Creation International Film Festival 2019-2020 Annual Gala EventLos Angeles
United States
February 26, 2020
Screenings postponed - but awards given
The Year Grand Champion. (overall winner Annual round up) -
Prague International Indie Film FestivalPrague
Czech Republic
March 10, 2020
Official Selection -
Manchester Film FestivalManchester
United Kingdom
March 12, 2020
Manchester Premiere
Offical Selection -
Blast OffLos Angeles
United States
March 14, 2020
Award: InkTip Award; Nominations: Best Lead Performance Short Film; Best Original Score -
Capital City Film FestivalLansing, Michigan
United States
March 27, 2020
(FESTIVAL POSTPONED! due to COVID-19)
Official Selection -
Five Continnents International Film FestivalLechería, Anzoategui
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
May 3, 2020
Best Thriller Short Film; Best Supporting Actor Short Film; Special Mention Director Short Film; Special Mention Lead Actress Short Film; Special Mention Production Short Film; Special Mention Costume Design Short Film; Special Mention Team Performance Short Film -
Gold Movie AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
May 21, 2020
Awards: Best Short (April); Best Production Design (April) -
St. Kilda Film FestivalMelbourne
Australia
June 12, 2020
Official Selection -
Hollywood Gold AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
July 5, 2020
Award: Best Director Short film - GOLD Award -
CKF International Film FestivalSwindon
United Kingdom
July 10, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film of the Month; Best Actor ( Female Foreign); Best Director Short Film -
Mindfield Film Festival - AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, New Mexico
United States
August 29, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film - Diamond Award; Best Director - Diamond Award; Best Actor - Platinum Award; Best Actress - Diamond Award; Best Original Score - Diamond Award -
Reale Film FestivalMilan
Italy
July 25, 2020
Award: Best Thriller -
Kosice International Monthly Film FestivalKošice
Slovakia
July 28, 2020
Awards: Best Thriller Short Film; Best Actor Short Film; 2nd Best Director Short Film -
Istanbul Film AwardsIstanbul
Turkey
July 30, 2020
Turkish Premiere - online only
Awards: Best Thriller - Short Film; Best Actress - Short Film; Best Costume Design - Short Film -
Bridge FestVancouver
Canada
July 29, 2020
Award: Best Narrative Short Film - July -
ConZealand Film FestivalWellington
New Zealand
August 1, 2020
Official Selection -
Venice Film AwardsVenice
Italy
August 5, 2020
Awards: Honourable Mention - Thriller Short Film; Honourable Mention - Costume Design -
Vegas Movie AwardsLas Vegas, Nevavda
United States
August 14, 2020
Awards: Award of Excellence - Best Costume Design; Award of Excellence - Best Sound Design; Award of Prestige - Best Actress; Award of Merit - Best Director -
Oniros Film Festival - ANNUAL COMPETITION 2020Saint-Vincent
Italy
August 22, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Director - Short Film; Best Actress. -
Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque - Annual Live Festival EventAlbuquerque, New Mexico
United States
August 28, 2020
Award: Best Foreign Short Film -
TOP SHORTSLos Angeles
United States
August 30, 2020
Awards: Best Film Noir; Honourable Mention: Director; Honourable Mention: Actress. -
PARIS Play Film FestivalParis
France
September 10, 2020
Finalist: Best Thriller -
The Monthly Film FestivalGlasgow, Scotland
United Kingdom
September 1, 2020
Awards Best Film of the Month; Best Director of The Month; Best Actress of The Month; Best Editor of The Month; Nominations: Set Cinematographer of the Month; Best Original Score of the Month. -
Los Angeles Motion Picture FestivalLos Angeles
United States
September 1, 2020
Awards: Short Film: Best Actress - Gold Award; Short Film: Best Director - Silver Award; Short Film Best Picture - Gold Award;Best Film Score - Silver Award -
New York International Film AwardsNew York, N.Y.
United States
September 6, 2020
Awards: Best Director - Short; Best Thriller; Best Film Noir; Best Actress -
Actors AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
September 9, 2020
Awards: Best Actress; Best Actress in a Crime Film -
Prague International Monthly Film FestivalPargue
Czech Republic
September 9, 2020
Awards: Best Thriller; Best Actor Short Film; Best Trailer; Honorable Mention: Director Short Film -
Royal Wolf Film AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
September 14, 2020
Awards: Best Foreign Short - Platinum; Best Drama Short - Platinum; Best Action/Thriller - Platinum; Best Actress - Platinum; Best Actor - Platinum; Best Director - Short - Platinum; Best Original Music Score -
Sicily Independent Film AwardsSicily
Italy
September 15, 2020
Awards: Best Film; Best Directing; Best Actress; Best Actor; Best Cinematography; Best Edit -
Flicks Monthly Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
September 18, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Actor in A Short Film; Best Actress in A Short Film; Best Supporting Actor; Best Thriller Film; Best Crime Film; Best Costumes; Best Art Design -
The Vision Splendid - Outback Film FestivalWinton, Queensland
Australia
September 27, 2020
Offical Selection -
UK Monthly Film FestivalNorwich, Norfolk
United States
October 1, 2020
Offical Selection -
Los Angeles Film AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
October 2, 2020
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Film Noir; Honorable Mention: Actress. -
Amercian Golden Picture International Film FestivalJacksonville, Florida
United States
October 2, 2020
Awards: Bet Short Fiction; Best Lead Actress; Best Lead Actor -
Crystal Palace International Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
October 5, 2020
Re-scheduled screenings - due to Covid-19 - London Premiere.
Offical Selection -
The Fargo Fantastic Film FestivalFargo, ND
United States
October 17, 2020
Official Selection -
South Eastern International Film FestivalNashville, Tennessee
United States
October 31, 2020
Official Selection -
L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, & Script FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
October 31, 2020
Award: Best Film -
Rome International Movie AwardsRome, Lazio
Italy
November 3, 2020
Awards: Best Action Film; Best Actress; Best Sound Design; Best Original Score; Best Costume Design; Best Trailer -
Pinnacle Film AwardsHollywood, California
United States
November 6, 2020
Awards Best Short Narrative - Diamond Award; Best Director - Diamond Award; Best Actor - Diamond Award; Best Supporting Actor - Diamond Award; Best Actress - Diamond Award; Best Editing - Diamond Award; Best Cinematography - Diamond Award; Best Original Score - Diamond Award. -
Hollywood International Golden Age FestivalNew York, N.Y.
United States
November 20, 2020
Award: Honorable Mention. -
Short Cine Fest
India
December 20, 2020
Awards: Best Crime Film; Best Noir Film. -
Berlin Flash Film FestivalBerlin
Germany
December 1, 2020
Award: Outstanding Achievement Award. -
Golden Earth Film Award
United Kingdom
December 20, 2020
Awards: Best Short Film; Best Female Actor. -
Europe Film Festival U.K.London
United Kingdom
December 21, 2020
Award: Best Horror/Mystery/Crime Short. -
Queen Palm International Film FestivalPalm Springs, California
United States
January 4, 2021
Awards: Best Original Score - Silver Award; Best Costume Design - Silver Award; Best Supporting Actor - Short Film - Bronze Award; Best Short Film - Mystery/Thriller - Bronze Award. -
Crown Wood International Film FestivalKolkata
India
January 17, 2021
Awards: Best ShortFilm; Best Director; Best Actor (Male); Best Actor (Female); Best Music Score -
Venice Shorts Film AwardsVenice, CA
United States
January 31, 2021
Awards: Best International Narrative; Best Script -
The Indie Fest Film AwardsLa Jolla, CA
United States
February 2, 2021
Awards: Outstanding Achievement Short Film; Award of Excellence - Actor - Leading; Award Of Excellence - Actress - Leading. -
Cult Critic Movie AwardsKolkata
India
February 4, 2021
Awards: Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Film Score - Soundtrack; Best Supporting Actor; Best Crime Short, Outstanding Achievement award - Short Film. -
Eastern Europe International Movie AwardsIzmir
Turkey
February 28, 2021
Awards: Best Actress - Platinum Award; Best Crime Short Film - Gold Award; Best Actor - Silver Award; Best Director - Silver Award -
Virgin Spring CineFestKolkata
India
March 10, 2021
Awards: Best Director - Gold Award; Best Film Score - Gold Award; Best Actress - Silver Award; Best Actor - Silver Award; Best Cinematography - Silver Award; Best Sound Design - Silver Award; Best Crime Film - Silver Award; Best Short - Silver Award. -
The Indie Gathering International Film FestivalCleveland, Ohio
United States
March 13, 2021
Awards: Best Short Film; Best lead Actress - Short film; Best Supporting Actor - Short Film; Best Director - Short Film; Best Short Drama - Crime. -
Latitude Film AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
March 21, 2021
Awards: Best Narrative Short - Silver Award; Best Directing - Silver Award; Best Lead Actress - Silver Award; Best Lead Actor - Silver Award; Best Supporting Actor - Silver Award; Best Costume Design - Silver Award. -
London International Monthly Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
March 31, 2021
Award: Best Production Design -
Global Indie Film FestivalGlasgow
United Kingdom
April 16, 2021
Awards: Best Thriller; Best Actress. -
Top Shorts Film Festival 7th Annual Awards 2021Los Angeles, C.A.
United States
June 15, 2021
Award: Best Film Noir of the Year. -
The Setting Sun Film FestivalYarraville, Victoria
Australia
June 18, 2021
Awards: Best Film; Best West; Best Performance -
American Golden Picture Internation Film Festival Annual Event 2021Jacksonville, FL
United States
June 26, 2021
Official Selection -
X World Film Short Film Festival - AOF Action On Film International Film FestivalLas Vegas, Nevada
United States
July 27, 2021
Official Selection
Distribution Information
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BRENDAN YOUNGCountry: AustraliaRights: Internet, Theatrical
Brendan began his filmmaking career armed with a Super 8 camera and a burning desire to shoot and make films. He also had a brief stint as a child actor, which included a small role in the Aussie movie grind-house classic “Mad Max”. Ultimately his real passion lay behind the camera.
Brendan graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School majoring in cinematography and film direction. His graduation film, the comedy sci-fi thriller, “Wild Planet” went on to win a number of local and international awards including the Gold Jury Prize at the Houston International Film Festival, The Red Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival - San Francisco and Best Student Film at the Hof Film Festival in Germany.
Brendan was launched into a diverse filmmaking career which saw him working as cinematographer and editor on an array of award winning films, music videos, tvcs and promos, which then evolved into a successful career as a director working in film, television and commercials.
His relationship comedy short film, “Three Chords And A Wardrobe” was a hit on the international festival circuit including being voted “Best Australian short film” at the 1998 Sydney Film Festival as well as being theatrically distributed in the U.S. in select theatres and broadcast on the Sundance Channel along with a slew of international cable channel and broadcasters.
Brendan often combines his work as a TVC director with various filmmaking projects and television documentaries including directing episodes of the Southern Pictures/ABC TV series "Family Confidential" (2014). Writing and directing the AFI/ACTAA award-winning documentary for ABC TV Arts & Entertainment, “You Only Live Twice – The Incredibly True Story of The Hughes Family” (2010) His other broadcast documentary credits include: “The Two Donnies" – The Two Of Us” (SBS Independent, 2006); ”Love and Anarchy - The Wild World Of Jaime Leonarder” (SBS, 2002) And "Conspiracy" for the 10 Network/ Mystery Clock Cinema (1999).
Recently Brendan has been focusing on developing a slate of dramatic film projects including the noir crime-action- thriller, “The Widow” set in Melbourne in the early 1960s. Towards the end of 2018, a 30-minute short “proof of concept” version of the film was launched on to the international festival circuit and to date has collected more than 215 awards. "The Widow" is currently being developed into a 6-part limited drama series for streaming while Brendan continues to develop other feature and limited series TV projects. He's just pitched a 6 part crime-espionage-thriller set In Saigon, Vietnam in the volatile year of 1963 to HBO Asia called "Saigon '63: Violent City".
“The Widow” is the first step in creating a compelling, character-based crime film with a powerful emotional core. It’s a distillation of a planned feature version of the same material. The main intent in making the film is to help bolster interest and support for the feature version of “The Widow”. The film, however, is more than just a demo calling card; it’s an emotionally intense self-contained narrative. I still wanted to engage and captivate an audience, drawing them into the intimate and layered time-shifting drama of the film.
The film is set against a backdrop of real-life events taking place in Melbourne in the 1960s. The press labeled these events “The Market Murders” — a bloody and violent battle of opposing factions within the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta (Mafia) to seize control of the lucrative produce industry. The group at the centre of this battle was known as “L’Onorata Societa" (The Honoured Society), an organisation with direct roots to crime gangs long established in villages scattered across Calabria in Italy.
The main character, Luisa, is based on an enigmatic woman who lived at the end of my street in the inner city Melbourne suburb, Brunswick. From the 50s to the mid-70s, Brunswick was mainly a working class, Southern European migrant enclave. The woman’s husband, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler, was allegedly gunned down at the Queen Victoria Markets (or so my parents told me). In a sense, the film is a kind of fever-dream imagining of what may have happened to her.
I was keen to make a film with a lead female character. Having a woman in her mid-40s in the lead role allows for a very different take on this almost exclusively male-centric crime genre. The focus is more on intimate relationships than criminality.
Luisa is beautifully realised by actor Daniela Farinacci in a very challenging role. Besides the obvious physical demands of the part - participating in the various stunts and on-camera action - Daniela learned to fluently speak regional Sicilian dialect, a language she’d never spoken before.
The use of language was part of an important goal in creating an authentic atmosphere. Besides recreating a period setting - dressing locations, sourcing wardrobe and motor vehicles, I wanted to faithfully recreate the language used within the Italian migrant community of the time. Though Luisa speaks Sicilian, the other characters speak to her in Calabrian. The dialogue employs 1960s, Melbourne-centric Siciliano and Calabrese dialects - often incorporating appropriated Aussie English words into the patois.
Shot in black and white, the monochrome palette and shooting style was inspired by 1960s French & Italian New Wave films with a crime theme: “Breathless”; “Don’t Shoot The Piano Player” and “Un Uomo Da Bruciare”; "L'assassino" to name a few. The other key influence is the revenge-fuelled, baroque style of '60s and '70s Spaghetti Westerns.
In spite of the ludicrously tight crowd-funded budget, I feel we were still able to create an evocative genre film blessed with nuanced performances, and offering an authentic window into a rarely explored aspect of Australian true crime history.