THE MADDENING WALLS
Inspired by the works of H.P Lovecraft, a man recounts the day that broke him. Detailing his life as a missing person’s Investigator and the case he was following to the ‘Walls Estate’.
Detective Barrows MICHAEL SHANAHAN
Mr Monty JIM LAVRANOS
Old Man BOB GARBETT
Directed by ADAM JURIC
Written by ADAM JURIC
Produced by PETER REIDER
Cinematography by COOPER HANDS
Production Design by CHELSEA NEATE
Sound Design by TOM ATKINSON
Composed by NED WHITE
Edited by ADAM JURIC
A DIRTY DOG IN A GRAVE.
With the philosophy of Howard Phillip Lovecraft’s ‘Fear of the Unknown’, This graduation film from 2019 tries to approach the existential dogma through a period piece that encapsulates the time Lovecraft has envisioned, a rural and native land tamed by man in the 1920s.
Muted palette to reinforce the depressive and curious nature of the events in the film, as a detective tries to uncover a child’s disappearance that only plays second fiddle to the underbelly secrets kept by the word specific caretaker, Mr. Monty.
The noir style gives a sense of mystery and exploration to the structure of the film. The camera work and lighting work together beautifully like a dance. Developing the common motifs of a mystery are ever-present: a detective, a disappearance, a suspect, and a twist.
Shot in rural Victoria, Australia. The film utilizes its environment and location well as it shows the grandeur of the bluestone estate in a flat field, only to lead the audience into the wild overgrown realm of the forest; bringing them from a sense of order to chaos.
The costumes, provided by Lord’s Design in Geelong places the actors beautifully into the world, with a color palette to compliment and contrast the characters respectfully; creating senses of symbolism into the story about how disconnected the main protagonist, Detective Barrows, is to this estate.
Fear of the unknown. The film leaves the ending without a clear explanation. Trying to further advance in the mind of the audience. Trying to piece or comprehend what has happened, letting your mind have limitless access to what it may be.
“One of the stronger themes towards the film is ‘Existentialism’ in which we view a character slowly have their minds degrade through the labyrinth that is the estate. The idea that something out there is far greater than us; where a simple sneeze could wipe all our progression of civilisation in an instant. It's not the large booming jumpscare some people go for, it's the sizzling dread that keeps us up at night.”
- ADAM JURIC (DIRECTOR OF ‘THE MADDENING WALLS’)
Year - 2021
Runtime - 15 MINS
Language - ENGLISH
Camera - RED EPIC-W HELIUM 8K
Location - WINCHELSEA, VICTORIA
