-Bob Dylan
Joe writes and directs both character focussed documentaries and fiction films. Joe has a number of diverse projects on the go, and is always a student of film. He works in close collaboration with people who share a desire to tell stories with honesty and depth.
Who?
I've lived in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne all my life. I ventured as far south as Carlton once to do a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Melbourne Uni. There I came across the two filmmakers I admire most; Chris Marker for La Jette and Sans Soleil and Terrence Mallick for Badlands and The Thin Red Line. I made a few films there too, kinda first scratchings on the cave wall.
I made Bloody Minded to learn how to make a documentary. Twelve months spent haunting bell towers paid off, and there are some great authentic characters and moments in that film.
Making Malarkey for the Geelong ShootOut was a great exercise. We had 24 hours to do the whole thing. I wrote it in two hours and we recorded the voice over that night. I hadn’t directed an actor for a long time. The skills I'd gained directing documentaries helped a lot.
Constructing Fear was a huge step up, at 45 minutes, with proper funding and a big team involved. The end result is something I’m really proud of, and I hope people get a feel for what happens on the human level when a government becomes as ideologically extreme as the late great Howard government was. 50,000 copies of of the film have been distributed to date and screenings held right around the country, but the ABCC is still forging ahead with its campaign of fear and intimidation and the Rudd government is doing nothing to curb its powers. Go to www.constructingfear.com.au to download the film for free.
A wise old filmmaker once said that film is all about the process, 'cos you never really see your own film anyway. It's the doing of the thing that matters, more than the end result. Maybe that's just an excuse that makes watching you own films bearable, but its certainly rings true for me. So if I can't see em, I guess you guys should, and feel free to tell me what you think of 'em.
Cheers,
- Joe
Films
Constructing Fear
Documentary, HDV.
A documentary exposing the activity of an industrial inquisition targeting building workers across Australia. “Constructing Fear” shows how these workers are the front line in an attack on civil liberties that has implications for every Australian.
Check the website: www.constructingfear.com.au
Malarkey (2006)
Short Fiction, DV, 6 Mins.
A homeless Irish fiddle player wanders the streets of Geelong in search of his great-grandfather’s Celtic cross. A story about truth, luck and old fashioned Irish malarkey. Malarkey screened at the Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland, in July 2006.
The Angels Trip Out
Documentary, HDV. In production.
A young, extremely charismatic Greek hoodlum from Coburg is transformed into a devout Muslim by a tragic accident involving his Lebanese best mate and partner in crime.
Bloody Minded (2004)
Documentary, MiniDV, 14 mins, Writer/Director.
A story about the invisible community of Melbourne's campanologists; bloody minded, bombastic, devoted, driven. Not what you might expect...
Woomera (2003)
Documentary / Installation DV/8mm/16mm, Director/Camera.
In the desert now
fear is all I feel
from purple sunset west
to wheat moon, remembering wisdom
gut quivering, unheroic
terror
Das Uber Groover (2002)
Short fiction, DV, 13 min, Writer/Director.
A funk musical set in Communist East Germany.
The Lake (2002)
Experimental, B&W 16mm, 3 min, Writer/Director.
Surrealist cowboy extravaganza!
Kudos
• "Cross with a winning film"
Moreland Leader, May 22 2006 - p. 24• "Cross searcher wins"
Northcote Leader, June 6 2006 - p. 6
News
Back in town...
After a great 5 months in India, Thailand and Malaysia, I've set myself up in sunny Melbourne once more. Congrats to Gen Bailey and Aindrais on taking his manic genius back Galway and kickin arse. As for me a few irons are in the fire, but they're not exactly burning up just yet. Its only been a week...
Queensland doco done
Just finished a half hour documentary for the CFMEU in Queensland. Its an historical film charting the 150 year history of the union. Using stills, interview material and music from legendary Aindrias de Staic it came up a treat. Now headin to India for a while, hoping for some fresh inspiration.
Across Australia with Constructing Fear
Just cooling my heels after launches of Constructing Fear in (deep breath) Canberra, Melbounre, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne again,Sydney and Geelong. Thanks to those who bought me a beer or a meal. The film's been getting a great response. People are mad as hell and I hope will start turning over a few cars in the name of liberty. We are way too polite in this country and we suffer greatly for it. So on that note, go and root yer boot.
We have a title.
My latest film will be called Constructing Fear. Its shaping up really nicely. 'Forming like voltron' as the Wu Tang Clan would say...
Editing begins....
Having not quite fininished shooting, we've begun cutting my as yet untitled film about the ABCC. It will be 8 weeks locked in a dark room with a bloke who always seems on the verge of clipping me over the ear like my Dad used to. Should be fun.
Malarkey barnstorms across Ireland
Following a great reception in Galway Malarkey's gone on to screen at the Kerry Film Festival and the quite prestigious Cork Film Fesitval. Cork's a bit like Melbourne 'cos everyone there knows everything and everyone's either a singer/songwriter or has just written a great screenplay. Mostly they just drink red wine. Anyway if they liked it, it must be good. Woo hoo!
Malarkey wins Punter's Choice
Screeing to about 150 people at Fitzroy Shorts, amongst a great bunch of shorts, we managed to take the cake and win first prize! Thanks to all those who came to check it out, it was a bit of a rough diamond compared with the others, but that Irish accent goes a long way with the punters. Thanks for all those who came and voted, early and often. You rock.
Ireland trip a big success!
Malarkey screened in the main venue of the Galway Film Fleadh and got a fantastic response. Meetings with producers followed and there was alot of encouragement for a longer film dealing with Irish and Australian cultural identities. The film also had second screening in the Kaliedscopic Drop festival, with a Gaelic voice over and live musical rescore by Aindrias de Staic. Again the response was overwhelmingly positive. Malarkey's proving to be the little film that could!
Malarkey to screen at Fitzroy Shorts
Malarkey will screen at Fitzroy Shorts on Wendesday July 5th. Doors open @ 7, screening @ 8:30. For more info check out http://www.fitzroyshorts.com There's an audience voted prize, so come along, vote early and vote often.
Contact
Mob: 0417 167 735
email: films@joeloh.com
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