Private Project

Book Club

“A private life isn’t a secret, it’s healthy”.

Giulia and Jude can’t reach an understanding. As Giulia spends more and more time at her Book Club, Jude is concerned about his partner’s absence. The couple find themselves in Counsellor’s office to talk things through.

Book Club discusses trust, privacy and identity within relationships. It explores power dynamics, and how perspectives on these three concepts can shift as the power does.

  • Hayden Somerville
    Director
  • Hayden Somerville
    Writer
  • Genevieve O'Shea
    Producer
  • Laura Wheelwright
    Key Cast
    "Giulia"
    Animal Kingdom, Wolf Creek (Tv Series)
  • Jackson Tozer
    Key Cast
    "Jude"
    Mr Inbetween, The Newsreader
  • Catherine Glavicic
    Key Cast
    "Counsellor"
    Relic
  • Simon Walsh
    Cinematographer
    The Plains
  • Juliette Whitney
    Production Designer
  • Aleisha Whitson
    Wardrobe
  • Derry Sheehan
    Editor
  • Ted Deacey
    Colourist
  • Kevin McDowell
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 8, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DIGITAL
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Hayden Somerville

Hayden Somerville is a writer-director based in Melbourne, Australia. His work wades through a world of absurdism and dark comedy, always searching for humour in tragedy. A background in music led Somerville to music videos, where he first experimented with film. Having worked with acts such as Mildlife, No Zu and RVG, he’s developed a tone that blurs the distinction between realism and illusion. Somerville has recently completed his first narrative short, Book Club.

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Director Statement

Arguments are very enjoyable. I find them very effective in storytelling. They can quickly reveal a person's character and their dynamic with others. I'm drawn to stories where characters strive, go to great lengths, but never achieve their intended goals. They never reach their original destination. This was my first short, the first narrative film I have written and directed – the entire time I was on set with the incredible crew and brilliant actors I’d never felt more terrified in my life. It wasn’t easier in post or pre. Very excited to make another one soon.