One of this year’s must-see short films is headed to Bunbury as part of the lineup for Flickerfest.
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Shot right here in WA, Adult School follows the story of Lara who is excited to attend compulsory adult school with her boyfriend Patrick where she will learn the skills required to succeed as an adult in modern Australia, including home loans, superannuation, and how to build a veggie garden.
But when Lara meets fellow student Harry, her cosy worldview starts to shift. Harry is a rebel who does not want to comply with the system’s definition of ‘adulthood’. Lara and Harry form a friendship and his ideas start to rub off on her which leaves her with a choice – stay with Patrick in the system, or trespass into the unknown.
Producer Georgina Isles said despite what it may look like, the film is about more than just a girl deciding between two loves.
“This is a choice for Lara about herself and her freedom,” Isles said.
“It’s this idea of knowing that there is a sanctioned way of living your life that you grow up with, but then realising perhaps it isn’t right for you and the consequences and mechanisms of how you would break free of that.
“As we went along, we started to explore some deeper things like what it’s like to be 30 and still not feel the whole adulthood thing, like a lot of people do – not knowing if everything is what you really want or need, it’s tricky.”
Much of the film was developed right here in WA, with two of the lead actors having attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Director Renée Rutgrink also lives in Denmark, but spends time in Perth for her film work.
And much of the film was shot at North Metropolitan Tafe East Perth campus and City Beach in Perth.
Isles said the film was a big collaboration between the crew from start to finish.
“As a producer, I was looking for a short film to do because Screenwest has this amazing short film funding that supports all these emerging filmmakers,” she said.
“So I asked my friend, who I collaborate with, Magda Wozniak, if she had anything short and she had an idea she had been working on.
“All the actors we worked with were really good mates as well, and it was a really good vibe on set.”
Isles’ last short film ONO was also accepted into competition at Flickerfest in 2016.
She said the tour was a great way to promote the work of emerging filmmakers in Australia.
“Flickerfest allows our films to screen out in lots of communities and often the more regional places are so engaged and they really want to know about the process and want more information,” she said.
“And it’s Oscar-accredited, so if you win you are eligible to go in the pool to be nominated for an Oscar.”
The successful producer also hinted that the crew weren’t quite finished with Adult School just yet.
“Now we are looking at trying to adapt (the film) into something a bit longer where we can play with the comedy of the kind of classes you can take at adult school,” she laughed.
“But ultimately we hope people get out of this that they are in control of their own life – if you’re unsure, you can make a change.”
Flickerfest will be at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Friday, May 12 at 8pm. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit bunburyentertainment.com