By Rodney Appleyard
Australian short film Netherland Dwarf has been selected to screen in competition at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Netherland Dwarf is one of three Australian short fictions selected for the international program.
The other two are Jerrycan and Miracle Fish. Directed by David Michôd and produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films, Netherland Dwarf was financed by Qoob (Italy) and stars Ewen Leslie, Mirrah Foulkes and newcomer Jack Egan.
This is the second year the team have participated in the Sundance Film Festival – their first collaboration, Crossbow, screened in the 2008 program alongside two other shorts co-written by Michôd – Spencer Susser’s I Love Sarah Jane (also produced by Angie Fielder) and Nash Edgerton’s Spider.
Netherland Dwarf had its Australian premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2008 and has since screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival as part of the Accelerator Program, the Milan Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival.
It tells the story about Harry, who really wants a rabbit. Harry’s dad really wants his wife back. And somehow in the middle of all this wanting, they both seem to have forgotten that they already have each other.
Miracle Fish is about eight-year-old Joe who has a birthday he will never forget. After friends tease him, he sneaks off to the sick bay, wishing everyone in the world would go away. He wakes up to find his dream may have become a reality.
Luke Doolan, the writer/director for the film, is very pleased that his film has been selected for the festival. "Having been to Sundance 2008 with Nash, David Michod, and Spencer Susser – I am really looking forward to the 2009 line up. It’s a truly
awesome experience to be there, and be in such good company of fellow Australian film makers."