By Eleanor Wilson
Film buffs can catch a glimpse of Berwick on the silver screen later this year, as local filmmaker Gabriel Carrubba presents his debut feature film Sunflower.
Set and shot in the heart of Berwick, Mr Carrubba, who wrote and directed the queer coming-of-age drama, described it as a “semi-autobiographical take on my experience growing up”.
“It’s about a teenager named Leo and his experience coming to terms with his sexuality and his journey to self acceptance and finding love,” Mr Carrubba said.
The 26-year-old has called Berwick home since he was two years old, attending Berwick Lodge Primary School and Berwick College – both of which appear in the film alongside several other frequented spots throughout Berwick and surrounding suburbs.
The 80-minute film, which was written and shot over throughout the pandemic, was in part a chance for Mr Carrubba to comes to terms with his own sexuality.
“I had just come out to my parents, I think it was more of a way of me just wanting to get things off my chest, because it kind of gets to a point where you want to tell everyone,” he said.
“You want to talk to people because you’ve been hiding it for so long, so I thought the best way to do that is to make a film like this.”
He said shooting his first feature film in familiar territory was a cathartic experience.
“It was almost like a form of therapy in a way and I think through shooting in these areas it’s very nostalgic – even sometimes the way the light hits the road.
“We were shooting one afternoon and the way the light was just hitting the pavement. I was like, oh my god that just reminds me of this specific afternoon.”
The young filmmaker said he hopes the film helps young people in a similar situation to recognise they are not alone in their struggles.
“I want kids that are in school now that are struggling, perhaps with their sexuality or their gender identity, to realise that this moment in their lives, this six-year period, is just a very brief period and it does as corny as it sounds, it does get better.
“When I was in school, I felt like I was the only person going through that sort of thing, so I think part of me wants people to realise that there are others out there, just like you, that are going through what you’re going through and it’s gonna be okay.”
But cinephiles who are not part of the LGBTQIA+ community can also benefit from the story.
“It wasn’t until after we finished shooting that I realised the film is also for parents, and anyone who’s not a part of the community, just people that might not really understand,” Mr Carrubba said.
“I think it’s a way to kind of build empathy and show people that you don’t really know what everyone’s going through…just promoting the message that it’s just important to be kind and treat people the way you’d want to be treated.”
The film’s title is metaphoric of its story line, Mr Carrubba said.
“When a sunflower hasn’t bloomed it’s kind of an ugly looking flower, but then when it’s bloomed, it’s beautiful. So I think in a similar way, one suppressing their sexuality.
“It’s kind of ugly and they’re going through a lot and then once the flower blooms, they come into themselves and it’s beautiful.”
Sunflower is currently in post-production and was recently awarded $15,000 funding from Queer Screen in Sydney, receiving a wealth of praise from judges, which included The Dressmaker producer Sue Maslin, festival and special events manager Madman Entertainment Paul Tonta and general manager and creative director of BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand Kylie Washington.
“We needed some money to finish the film. So I thought, well, we’ll just apply, we’ll see what happens. So I applied, and the jury really loved it.”
The big dream, Mr Carrubba said, is to make it into the highly revered Cannes Film Festival.
“We’ve submitted to them so fingers crossed, that’d be great.
“We’re hoping to play at Melbourne International Film Festival as well – it would be good to play at home- and in Sydney and there’s a few others in Europe that we are interested in, starting in May.”
Sunflower is due to be completed in about six weeks and will premiere later this year.
