Some films portray manic car chases, others tell love stories — but for Perth-based filmmaker Toby Bajrovic, sometimes less is more when it comes to capturing an audience’s attention.
Bajrovic’s short film Phone Call has been shortlisted as a finalist in Australia’s richest short film competition, and tells the regretful tale of a brother’s loneliness as he comes to terms with his disconnectedness from estranged loved ones.
Reuniting with old school mate Tristan Gorey while working at local ad agency Gatecrasher, the pair hit it off creatively and sought to combine their passion for filmmaking in a new project.
But after cutting his teeth on music videos and resource-heavy projects, the 27-year-old writer and director admitted they attacked this venture with the idea of simplicity and minimalism.
“We wanted to do something that focused on limitations, so we didn’t want to get a whole bunch of things in line for a movie to happen,” Bajrovic said.
The result is a sombre allegory that follows Gorey’s character as he’s forced to face the demons of his past.
The duo drove the streets of Perth scouting for places to film, settling on locations including a Fremantle overpass and an abandoned Karrinyup shed to set the scene.
Through dimmed lighting and spare dialogue, they were able to portray a darkness that represents the character’s solitary life. It’s a story that Bajrovic believes is universal.
“We often let our egos limit our growth, as we don’t want to ask for help,” he said. “This character needed an ultimatum, but some people never get that far.”
Phone Call is shortlisted as a finalist in Australia’s richest short film competition, available to watch at PerthNow at Best Australian Short Film. Watch and vote for your chance to Win $1000. Voting closes at 11.59pm WST on February 18.
All winners will be announced at the Shorty’s, The Best Australian Short Film Competition’s awards night on February 29 at Rooftop Movies, which will be livestreamed on PerthNow.