Historical films are a favourite of mine, so when I discovered that a new Western Australian film in pre-production - titled The Canary was a period piece, I knew that I had to find out more. I had previously interviewed Emilie Lowe for Australian Women in Horror week. Not only is Emilie an actress, she is also a film maker and has her own production company called Salt and Honey Productions. I was able to ask Emilie a few questions about The Canary, and the challenges that might be involved shooting a film that is set in the 1800's.
You are currently in pre-production of a new film called The Canary, could you please tell us about the plot of the film?
Emilie - We definitely can! ‘The Canary’ is an upcoming 2021 film that promises to be both a visceral and compelling period drama. It will utilize all local Western Australian cast, crew and businesses while also underscoring WA’s incredible coastlines, historical locations and versatile landscapes.
With a timely and ever-relevant story surrounding the gender roles, the female struggle and defying subjugating social standards the film pledges to make a big impact!
Set during the nineteenth century, ‘The Canary’ follows protagonist Claire, who, following the sinking of a transport vessel, is set adrift onto the Australian open ocean. With little but a lifeboat and caged canary beside her, Claire must find the power to defy the standards of her time; utilizing her inner-strength, determination to survive, and unrealized ingenuity in order to endure survival on the expansive ocean.
‘The Canary’ will be a very raw and realistic image of what would happen if an 1800s women was set adrift on the ocean alone. It’s not easy. It wouldn’t be for anyone. But having to overcome the judgments and ideologies that are drilled into the protagonist from everyone around her, proves a challenge in itself. Really the film is a story of overcoming. Overcoming internal factors, external factors, mental health struggles, societal prejudice and really, her own ideas of femininity and what she is able to accomplish in the face of struggle.
However, although this is the story of the female battle, we believe that anyone who sees this movie will walk away feeling both entertained but also empowered in their own way. It’s a tale of human endurance and of human survival. Overcoming the odds and both external and internal demons to persist and conquer in the face of adversity. We really hope that those who view this film will see it as a message of finding strength within themselves, and that any women who view the film especially will see a realistic image of struggle and endurance. And overcoming. And knowing that it was written and co-directed by a young female from WA will hopefully inspire them to create their own works as well.
What are some of the obstacles you foresee in making this film?
Emilie - We believe that the biggest challenges will be filming on the open ocean. Weather conditions, wind, and lighting will be the largest task to face in this area; however, we have received so much generous support from local business with equipment and donations, so we feel prepared to face the elements.
Tackling a period piece is certainly challenging, such as costuming etc, did this ever make you second guess attempting this production?
Emilie - I chose to set the film during the 1800s as one would imagine the treatment of women to be heightened in its unacceptability. However, now perceiving our own current society, we hope that the audience will be able to recognize that these ideologies thought long-overcome are still very prevalent on our own current streets, in our own homes. Although the film is set over 200 years ago, the themes and ideas expressed are still shockingly relevant and timely to our own social climate.
Many shipwrecks also took place within the 1800s, and with society then priding itself on its sense of ‘class’ and ‘opulence’, I found it very interesting writing a character who must forgo all that sense of restriction in order to do whatever she must to survive.
Emilie Lowe
You are an actress as well as a film maker, will you be starring in The Canary?
Emilie - Yes, I will be! I’m so excited to take on such a challenge role; both through the external factors of filming locations and the internal factors of creating such an interesting character. The role won’t be one of ‘Hollywood glamour’, but instead a genuine story of struggle and survival. I’m ready to step outside of both my personal and professional comfort zone to really produce Claire’s character.
We will also be calling on all local cast to fill other pending roles – which we are so excited about.
Your own company - Salt and Honey productions are working a long side Scudley Films to make The Canary, how did this come about?
Emilie - Yes, Peter Renzullo (who runs Scudley Films) and I are taking on co-directing roles for ‘The Canary’!
Writing and acting in the film, I knew that I hoped to work with someone who I could trust, as well as someone of amazing skill – and immediately I knew I would love to work with Peter.
Peter and I met back in 2018 on his first ever feature film and we really clicked immediately. Our shared work ethics and love of the medium of film, but also our shared respect and admiration of each others work enabled us to become a team who have a very positive and progression creation process. I think it’s the fact that both really value each others input and advice that is the driving force behind our cohesion in the creative process.
I think also me, being a writer with dyslexia, and him a legally blind film maker, we have had to overcome our own advertises in the field of film. And our professional work and friendship really highlights that anyone of any age, any gender, any disability has the strength to prosper and overcome hardships in something that they love.
I cannot wait to work with him again in the creation of this film!
Peter Renzullo
If you could compare the tone of The Canary to another film, what would it be?
Emilie - I suppose that you could draw from another cast away tale such as Life of Pie, or mystery period dramas such as Picnic at Hanging Rock, although I’m not sure I could compare this film to another. It’s very much a survival tale told through the lens of the female struggle – but for anyone who has watched my pervious work they know that I also love heavy symbolism and the use of experimental filming in many areas of the film – which is definitely included in ‘The Canary’! I really hope to create an entertaining and inspiring film that is like no other created in Western Australia, and I cannot wait to achieve it with all local cast and crew who I know have such great enthusiasm and skill.
When do you begin filming?
Emilie - Filming will begin very shortly in the next coming months as soon as the final locations are confirmed.
We plan on having the final product finished before the end of the year with it hitting the international film festival circuit soon after.
Where can our readers keep up to date with news about you and the film?
Emilie - Our socials include:
The funding page and details of the film : https://readyfundgo.com/project/the-canary-film
We have also been interviewed by Cinema Australia and Inside Film Magazine which can be found on our Facebook page.
Thank you so much for your support!