Zach Clifford as Matthew in Where Dead Things Grow.

Post-production has officially wrapped on Emilie Lowe’s new short film, Where Dead Things Grow.

Hot on the heels of her award-winning feature film debut, The Canary, Emilie has taken on the roles of director, cinematographer, and co-writer for this impactful and intimate glimpse into loneliness, loss of spirit, and finding hope in the darkness.

Created by Salt and Honey Productions, the film was shot in the beautiful Darlington area of Western Australia and features evocative cinematography, a compelling soundtrack, and emotional performances.

“Where Dead Things Grow was shot with a very small team, and filming outdoors in the unpredictable Australian elements was a real challenge,” says Lowe.

“This film is an intimate deep dive into personal loss, loneliness, and loss of purpose. Struggles which I believe audiences will be able to relate to.”

The 35-minute drama is co-written by Lowe and Zach Clifford, who both star in the film as Annie and Matthew respectively, and tells the story of one man’s struggle to continue living even when it seems he has lost everything.

Zach Clifford as Matthew in Where Dead Things Grow.

Here’s the official synopsis:

In the aftermath of a destroyed world, a grief-stricken Matthew (Clifford) tends to the lifeless garden he once dreamed of growing with his wife. As he prepares to end it all, a stray dog interrupts him. While this fragile bond begins to take root, it offers him one last reason to keep digging – and possibly to keep living.

“This was a project born from a desire to showcase the ability to grow even during times of difficulty,” says Lowe.

“My ambition was to create an intimate glimpse into the protagonist’s struggle, so I utilised close, shallow depth-of-field shots that emphasised the character’s all-consuming mindset and sense of loss and isolation. The colours also change throughout the film to match the protagonist’s changing mindset.”

For Clifford, the role was both extremely challenging and often confronting.

“To embody the character, I had to strip myself back to a place of complete isolatio, to live in his loneliness, his despair, and then find those fleeting moments of hope that sometimes feel so far away from us,” he says.

Where Dead Things Grow aims to hit the festival circuit soon.

If you enjoy Cinema Australia as much as I love publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers.

Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.