In a dry and dusty cemetery in a little known corner of Western Australia, there is a plaque that tells a tragic tale from our gold mining past, but this tale isn’t one you’d expect. It is a story about the loss of a newborn baby, a double murder and a gunfight. It is 1902, the major players are Japanese and the place is called Kanowna, which in the Indigenous language means “place of no sleep”.
Intrigued by this little known event, I began to ponder about the circumstances of the people in the arid and unforgiving heat of that place, and of the widespread racism of the time. I asked the question, “What was it like to live in that harsh environment, to face the daily challenge of survival, and then have to face the challenges of a racist society as well?”
The majority of the films that I have made have been an unconscious attempt to explore complex relationships, and perhaps in a small way tell the untold ethnic Asian stories of our colonial past.
Kanowna is a story of love and the barriers that faced ordinary people in that extraordinary place. I wanted to explore the impact of cross-cultural relationships, the taboos, and the importance of one’s status in the community, at a time when equality was only a dream for many people.
The Western Australian Goldfields would have been a harsh, intolerant place, with dire consequences for those caught stepping outside the accepted social structures. I venture into this world with Chomatsu, Osarno and Trooper Brown.
Kanowna is now a ghost town, only empty streets remain and the spirits don’t sleep.
Chris Richards-Scully
© 31/08/08
02.09.2010 - Kanowna has been invited to the Canberra Short Film Festival.
30.04.2010 - Western Australian Film agency, ScreenWest has approved a film marketing grant, which will provide financial support for the submission of Kanowna into film festivals.
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Writer/Director
Chris Richards-Scully is a directing graduate of the prestigious Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). His work has attracted attention internationally, with his short films winning awards and screening at international film festivals around the world.
His films address the imbalance in Australian cinema, of cultural stories from an Asian perspective. The struggle for identity and the cross-cultural issues, which arise from the mix of people from so many different countries into what is essentially a white, English speaking society.
Chris served his directing apprenticeship under Little Fish director, Rowan Woods on the set of Farscape. He has also worked in a number of capacities on feature films and TV series.
Kanowna marks his debut as a writer/director. Chris is considered by many in the Australian film industry as a talented director with a strong voice and visual style, who is on the verge of stepping into the features arena.
Michael Facey
Producer
Born and raised in the Gold mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Michael was first drawn to the world of cinema by the movies he watched with his parents from a young age. It was these moments that inspired him to pursue a career in the film and television industry, as a means to create and produce stories that can entertain audiences while being thought provoking, inspirational and a way to escape the pressures of every day life.
Michael first met Writer/Director Chris Richards-Scully whilst studying at the School of Art, Design and Media in Perth, Western Australia. In late 2008 Chris sent him an early draft of the script, Michaels first reaction was love it.
He was determined that Kanowna was a film that had to be made. Its depiction of real events during the time of the White Australia Policy had never been done before, it was powerful and unique.
Dustin Clare as Trooper Brown, waits in a cramped, hot cubicle for Osarno to arrive.
Peta Sergeant holds and Mathilda Richards-Scully during a scene from the film
Osarno makes a desperate attempt to get free.
Ben Khaw plays Chomatsu Yabu in Kanowna.
Dustin Clare as Trooper Brown, makes a discovery by the riverbank.
Trooper Clarke assists his friend. Trooper Clarke is played by 2010 Tropfest Best Actor, Clarke Richards.
Chomatsu takes matters into his own hands. Ben Khaw plays Chomatsu.
A scene from Kanowna, a new short film from director Chris Richards-Scully.
Dustin Clare as Trooper Brown, searches the horizon
Peta Sergeant who plays Osarno, shares a light-hearted moment with Dir Chris Richards-Scully before the shoot begins
DOP Devris Hasan shooting a scene from Kanowna on the RED camera.
Director Chris Richards-Scully explains the shot to 1st AD Aaron McCann and DOP Devris Hasan, as Dustin Clare looks on.
The crew work in the cramped confines of the corridor set.
Dustin and Ben go through the moves one more time.
Focus puller, Dan, gets the RED camera ready for the next take as Dev looks on.
Not waiting to be asked, Alicia and Alaric take over as DP and Focus Puller. Way to to go guys!
Our horse wrangler and the horses.
Dev thinks about lighting the scene
Director Chris Richards-Scully with the films main characters Ben Khaw and Dustin Clare, on set.
On location in Meckering, WA.
Clarke Richards as Trooper Clarke in Kanowna.
Clarke enjoys a moment between takes, during the filming of the troopers tent scene.
This is what happens when you upset the Focus Puller!
Kanowna's Director/Writer Chris Richards-Scully and Sound Designer David Raines at the Larsons Studios, Los Angeles.
Mathilda Richards-Scully makes her film debut in Kanowna.
Writer/Director Chris Richards-Scully, works closely with Dustin Clare to prepare for an emotional scene.
Dustin Clare preparing to shoot a scene.
Chris gives Dustin a quick note about the scene, before the camera rolls.
