Dungog Film Festival

Presented by the directors

Saturday, 29-May-2010

10:30 AM

at: ClarkeKann Theatre

Credits: Dir: Simon Best & Paul Murphy / Scr: Simon Best & Paul Murphy / Prod: Simon Best & Paul Murphy / Cast: Simon Best, Paul Murphy, Ben Spaull, Matt Brick / 2009

Duration: 46 mins

Though described as a dramatised documentary, this filmmaking mockumentary was made by co-directors and stars Paul Murphy and Simon Best.

After finishing high school, four friends drove into the Australian outback to make a horror film, called Living Off The Land. Armed with only a video camcorder, it was going to be the film that would make them all famous. The project was abandoned after one day of shooting. Years later Paul (Murphy), the 'star' of the film, rediscovers the footage. With his dreams of success still unfulfilled, he is keen to track down his old friends and give the project another crack. Simon (Best), the director, still works at the video store in the suburb where they all grew up. He has not directed a film since he dropped out of film school - when his first year assessment, a ninja-action bonanza, was judged to need "more depth". Playing the homicidal farmer is Ben (Ben Spaull), who has found his own success in the corporate world. Although he's excited about revisiting the good old days, he's moving overseas in three weeks, making the shooting schedule very tight. The other lead role in the film was initially played by Wally (Wally De Backer), probably the most gifted member of the group. Unfortunately, he has mysteriously disappeared. Wally is replaced by Graham (Matthew Brick), a subordinate from Paul's office who has no acting experience at all.

George Lucas once said that "films are never finished, they're just abandoned". Re-Living Off The Land is about how some films - as well as friendships - are abandoned for a reason, and perhaps better left unfinished. Be warned, the ride is bumpy.

http://www.relivingofftheland.com/

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