James Menelaus Rush





  FILMOGRAPHY


RELEASED


IN DEVELOPMENT

- THE THORN IN THE FLESH

- GUMSUCKER

- YACKANDANDAH
 




All of us know, whether or not we are able to admit it,that mirrors can only lie, that death by drowning is all that awaits one there. It is for this reason that love is so despertely sought and so cunningly avoided. Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot leave without and know we cannot live within.

(James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time)





TADPOLES                                       12’53”                                            2021




SYNOPSIS

Troubled by a newfound concept of death, and his frustrating sister, an 8 year old boy begins to feel very small and alone.
As his understanding of life grows so too does their sibling bond.

                                                   


                     
AWARDS                                                                                                                                            
2022 Australian Director’s Guild Awards - Best Direction In A Student Film (Nominee)

FESTIVALS                                                           
2024 Reel Good Film Festival
2023 Heart of Gold International Film Festial
2022 Winterthur Kurzfilmtage
2021 Rhode Island International Film Festival  
2021 Flickerfest International Short Film Festival

CAST + CREW

Will Cooke
Daniella Cooke

Writer/Director/Producer/Editor
James Menelaus Rush
DOP
Charles Alexander
Production Design
Angelica Rush
Costume
Alice Wilson
Sound Recordists
Mig Artugue + Jan Wong
Sound Design + Mix
Karl Fee
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT



Down from next door’s paddock Will and Daniela screeched into my life. 

Like two searing fireballs, each rotating around the other. 

They reminded me of the relationship I had with my own sister at that age.

In this same, special place inundated by nature. 

It was lockdown. We were all together. 

I wanted to try and find a way for us to play, to connect and to remember.

So I began to explore my memories of childhood in the area.

Reflections deeply engrained with sentiments of two grandparents no longer present.

With sketches of words slowly forming an idea, I became aware of the fact that

recently their grandfather has passed too.

I explained to their father, Tony, my intentions. His last words being,

 good luck getting them on board.

Also.

They are leaving in 7 days.

We spent the coming days just exploring and sharing stories, memories.

I showed them hidden streams and secret hideaways from my own childhood in the area. 

We began to find a communal wavelength, one we could all move forward on together.

I didn’t want either of them to ever feel overburdened by anything the

film was quietly traversing. I knew it was already in them and that it

would be more a matter of directing their physical energies as

opposed to trying to force out any understanding or thoughts of

things. Finding ways to keep the journey fruitful and engaging, things like

archery competitions and treasure hunts, allowed for a depth in

seriousness when it was called upon. They were naturals in every sense of the word.

Them having never acted and me having never directed children - we all found ourselves in playfully uncharted territory. 

Featuring a crew of just 4, the majority being family members, the team dived in headfirst to this incredibly organic process and experience.

 In taking these steps into the unknown with Will and Lely the project offered an opportunity 

for both myself and the children, each in our own ways, to explore 

to share emotions and sentiments dear to us about the processing of lost ones

  the benefits of honestly sharing and communicating grief with others.