Private Project

Unsaid

It is the 1990s; Melbourne, Australia. Six-year-old, Oscar struggles to find connection with his multicultural family when relatives from Serbia move into his crowded suburban home. Surrounded by strange people and languages, Oscar is unable to express himself, especially to his bossy cousin, Mila. In trying to keep her away, he unwittingly tears his family apart. For once, the house becomes silent, and Oscar can see that his family is just as lonely as he is. In a loving gesture, he links the house together with make-shift tin can telephones. Oscar listens as his family laugh and share stories in their mother tongues. Oscar is finally connected with his family.

  • Alex Nesic
    Director
  • Alex Nesic
    Writer
  • Zixuan Li
    Producer
  • Dimitrios Stoforidis
    Producer
  • Atticus Emerson
    Key Cast
    "Oscar"
  • Jasmina Mihaljevic
    Key Cast
    "Mila"
  • Hamish Rayner
    Director of Photography
  • Sophie McGregor
    Director of Photography
  • Christa Hill
    Production Designer
  • Laura Him
    Sound Designer
  • Dimitrios Stoforidis
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family, Multicultural
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English, Mandarin Chinese, Serbian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Swinburne University of Technology
  • Multicultural Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    August 24, 2022
    Australian/Victorian premiere
    Best Short Fiction
  • North Bellarine Film Festival
    Drysdale, Victoria
    Australia
    November 20, 2022
    Emerging Filmmaker Award
Director Biography - Alex Nesic

Alex is an emerging filmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia. Since finding out his mother was an actor in China, Alex knew he wanted to work in the creative arts.

His last film ‘Unsaid’, was awarded Best Short Fiction by the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival and he received the North Bellarine Film Festival's Emerging Filmmaker Award. His film before that, ‘The Shanking Gang’ was screened at a number of festivals, including Newcastle Fringe Emerging Film-Makers Festival, Global Indie Film Fest and Byron Bay Underground Film Festival.

As a storyteller, Alex is interested in explorations of diversity, fringe societies and familial connections.

Alex is currently completing his master’s degree of Film and Television at the Victorian College of the Arts.

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Director Statement

After numerous production delays and the stressful uncertainty of filming between COVID-related lockdowns, the fact that ‘Unsaid’ is here now for us to watch is a testament to the labour of love conducted by its cast and crew.

This is an incredibly personal story inspired by events in my childhood. It is my hope that this film will promote even the slightest glimmer of understanding during an era where issues of miscommunication and division seem almost insurmountable.

While there are many languages at play in this film, it is designed to be viewed without subtitles. The story of 'Unsaid' can be appreciated no matter the languages one knows.

I hope you enjoy the film.