I love a film that evokes the same symptoms as a fever dream, or if you’ve dabbled in acid in your past, an acid trip. 

That’s how I’d describe the feeling of watching Adam C. Briggs’ weird and wonderful new film, Phillip Philadelphia. 

It’s difficult to put into words exactly what the film is about, and as Briggs says during this interview, it’s open to interpretation. You can take away from it what you will. 

Some may interpret it as I have, a dig on the Australian film industry and the delusional impact it can have on most filmmakers attempting to break through its mainstream barriers, but others will have different opinions, and some may be left scratching their heads wondering what they fuck they just watched. As you’ll hear from Briggs here, any of the above suits him just fine.

The official synopsis for the film reads like this: British screenwriter Phillip Philadelphia languishes in an old motel at the Gold Coast’s curdled quagmire of vapid opulence. 

Alienated from the film industry and his environment, low-budget debauches and decaying vestiges of empire prop up his weary existence. 

A young actor lover, a former colleague, and a drug-dealing neighbour weave throughout Phillip’s escapist fantasies. 

Phillip Philadelphia is a queer melodrama and absurdist romp in part which examines the dislocation of the artist in modern times.

Adam C. Briggs was born in 1993 and works as an independent writer and director in Australia. 

His films, which rest between docufiction, arthouse and genre cinema have found respect institutionally and critically. 

His feature A Grand Mockery, which I highly recommend, received best feature at SXSW Sydney in 2024 and Best Direction New Visions at Sitges in 2025. 

Phillip Philadelphia won’t be for everyone, but if this film sounds like it’s up your alley, like it was mine, then you can catch at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Friday 7 and Sunday 9 August. 

Anyway… enjoy. 

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