As my journey at Griffith Film School draws to a close I had the opportunity to direct a scene under the tutelage of PJ Hogan and Bob Humphreys. We were provided a "mystery" script from a scene in a feature film. The onus was on the Directors to analyse the screenplay, craft a narrative around it and direct their interpretation. My scene below - Australian noir - beautifully performed by Joel Pierce, Arnijka Larcombe-Weate and Jack Mahoney.

Dir: D. Yiapanis, DP: A. Shukla, Edited: S. Cooper

The original scene was from the film, Proof (1991) Written & Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, featuring Hugo Weaving, Geneviève Picot and Russell Crowe which you can view below.

Original scene from Proof (1991).

I never wanted to bring you here.
This godforsaken place of waste and decay.
To join this parasitic species we call humanity.
Eating its host from the inside out.
In the name of civilisation, progress and modernity.

But you came.
Like the flood that left behind a discombobulated mess of corpses and concrete.
This time though, a deluge of love with a pinch of salt.
You inspired me to help make our little speck on this planet better.
For you, for her.

Your path was never straight,
But it was never neglected.
And you flourished.
To transcend the infestation that marred our existence.
And grow with your friends in tow.

I never wanted to bring you here.
But you insisted.
And despite my most ardent objections.
You came.
You were stubborn, like the mangroves which found their roots.
You helped me find mine, in the wetlands of Yandina Creek.

And for that, I can rest in peace.

I was thinking about loneliness within the context of companion animals; the way we (humans) keep them as "companions" often without a second thought to their own need for companionship with their own kind.

​It led me to an idea for a short film about loneliness titled, "Birds Of A Feather"

As I'm working, this beautiful Greek song my father used to listen to when we were kids popped into my head.
​"Loneliness is better" by Giannis Parios - Enjoy! (lyrics translation below)

​If only loneliness had a color,
To draw on paper,
So I could make it light blue,
And a sea breeze
 
I would also put sails on it,
For one last journey
Your embrace,
Is a haven in the Aegean
 
Loneliness is better,
Than you who I can't reach
I find you, then I lose you
Loneliness is better
 
If only loneliness were a stone,
To climb up on
Το get lost into oblivion,
So I won't see you as you're leaving
 
And turn into smoke,
Just like a cigarette that's burning out
From now on you will be alone
And so will I.