Automata (2011)
Dir M Richards : Prod Four Anchor Island/Chapter Music : DOP J Rouse
Automata is the eerie, black-humoured story of Henry, the last in a long line of duck hunters. The film examines the connection between hunter and prey and obsession in the face of extinction. It posits the question 'what would happen to someone at the tipping point; the moment where they are directly responsible for the extinction of an entire species'
Duck hunting in Australia is a very contentious issue and every year hunters and protesters clash.
The experimental side is evidenced with the lack of dialog, non-linear narrative and a 'score' by Belgian sound designer Christina Clar. The majority of the sound tracking and design was completed before the edit in Australia, thus reversing the usual process. The sound post production was completed in Brussels and includes recordings from deep within remote caves.
Format - HD 1.77:1 // Duration - 11.05mins
SCREENINGS
Dungog Film Festival - May 27th 2011 (Australia)
Downunder Berlin Film Festival - September 18th 2011 (Germany)
Cinema Perpetuum Mobile Film Festival - January 13-18, 2012 (Belarus)
Byron Bay International Film Festival - March 2-11, 2012 (Australia)
West End Film Festival - March 25th, 2012 (Australia)
Lewiston Auburn Film Festival (LAFF) - April 13-15, 2012 (USA)
Bideodromo International Experimental Film Festival - October 5th, 2012 (Spain)
DUKAFEST - November 15th, 2012 (Bosnia)
CREDITS
Featuring - Tom McCathie, Jon Yencken
Director - Matt Richards
Cinematography - Jeremy Rouse
Composition & Voice - Sez Wilks
Sound Design, Arrangement & Additional Voice - Christina Clar
Editor - Matt Richards
Production Design - Wandjina
AWARDS
Nominated - Byron Bay International Film Festival (2012) 'Best Experimental'
Nominated - Lewiston Auburn Film Festival (2012) 'Best Experimental'
4th place - Bideodromo (2012) 'Best Experimental'