Initial release 2009 | ||
'Zeno' is a twenty-minute period drama produced by Masina Productions. It was written and directed by New Zealand cinematographer and AFTRS graduate Peter Panoa. The film was shot in Campbelltown, New South Wales, over the course of four days in October 2008 and released the following year. The main actors that feature in the film are Johnny Sumelj (formerly known as Ivan J. Sumelj), Mary Doumith, Frederick Winterstein, Doris A. Vai, Simon Menzies and Farnaz Fanaian.
Contents
Setting and premise
The opening shots are shown to be at a port in Western Samoa but the main drama is set in Porirua, New Zealand. The set time is 1967 but is eventually shifted to the 1980s. The film primarily deals with the issue of xenophobia in a small neighbourhood existence and how it can potentially destroy relationships if left unresolved.
Synopsis
A young Samoan couple (played by Frederick Winterstein and Doris A. Vai) move into the neighbourhood, only to discover their white emigrant neighbour (played by Johnny Sumelj) is unhappy about their arrival. This event spawns a series of xenophobic remarks on his part, targeted specifically towards the couple and the Pacific Islanders in general. As a result of this his wife (played by Mary Doumith) confronts his racist and xenophobic attitude with much antipathy. Twenty years later this pattern is repeated when an Arabic couple (played by Simon Menzies and Farnaz Fanaian) become new neighbours of the Samoan husband.
Release, accolades and budget
'Zeno' was shot on 35mm film stock and first released in Italy on 24 September 2009. It later screened at other festivals internationally and went on to win the Grand Jury Prize for 'Best Short Film' at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) within the same year of its release. Its estimated budget came to $25,000 AU.
Trivia
The scene where a barbecue is used exploded on set in between takes. The film was also originally scheduled to be shot over five days but due to an incident of food poisoning a day had to be lost.