Everything you need to know about Finegan Sampson’s Teach Me How to Cry

Lachy Hulme and Julian Haig in Teach Me How to Cry.

What’s it about?

Without revealing too much of the film’s magic, here’s what we can tell you about Teach Me How to Cry: Unable to tap into his emotions on stage, a middle-aged struggling actor is given one last chance to prove himself, and in turn, takes a class with an acting coach who promises to transform his performance.

Lachy Hulme in Teach Me How to Cry.

Who’s in it?

The Teach Me How to Cry cast is an emerging filmmaker’s dream and is made up of highly-acclaimed and admired actors Lachy Hulme, Michala Banas, Bert LaBonté, Julian Haig and Justina Noble. The entire cast give their all to this film. Lachy Hulme’s final scene in the film will be remembered for many years to come.

Campbell Connelly and Bert La Bonté in Teach Me How to Cry.

Who made it?

23-year-old Melbourne writer and director Finegan Sampson is the impressive talent behind this beautiful short film. Here’s what Finegan said about the making of the film”

“Starting out as an actor from a young age, I have been involved in film and TV for the majority of my life. I began making my own work in my early teens and found that my passion for writing and directing grew dramatically with each project I finished. I have just completed my final honours year at Swinburne University of Technology and am a company director of OneHouse Productions.

The story of Teach Me How to Cry was conceived from my experience exploring the vulnerability of acting and the notion of finding truth within characters. The actor’s process has been something that has fascinated me, so I wanted to tell a story that showcased how actors leverage their emotions by drawing from past trauma or experiences that have happened in their life.

The film was written as a character study, therefore I knew from a very early stage that I would need actors with great range and intensity. I reached out to the management of Lachy Hulme and Michala Banas and was lucky enough to have them commit to the project which led to the likes of Bert Labonté, Justina Noble and Julian Haig also coming on board.

I had grown up watching these actors on TV so it was quite a surreal experience having them on set. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such talented and experienced artists, and it was even more special being hand in hand with an equally as amazing group of young filmmakers. Being my graduate project, it was a bittersweet feeling finishing it as it also stamped the end of my time at film school.

I learnt so much from doing this film and am eternally grateful for the hard work and time the whole crew committed. As per every project I wrap, my passion and love for telling stories has only grown stronger, so I can’t wait to tell the next one.”