Resonance - landmark short film gets a new lease of life

In late November Brendan Young travelled to Sydney to participate in the restoration of a remarkable short film he photographed as a young cinematographer fresh out of film school. Resonance (1992) was the work of the late, vanguard gay filmmaker Stephen Cummins and a landmark in Australian queer filmmaking. Brendan was invited by the film’s co-director, composer and sound designer, Simon Hunt to supervise the image restoration/remastering. As Brendan said, “I was always very proud of this film and to be able to go back to the original 35mm negative and bring those vivid black and white images back to life again in a digital realm was a pure joy.” Working with veteran filmmaker Ray Argall who graded, assembled and restored the footage, Brendan also supervised two of Stephen’s earlier 16mm films. “Elevation” and “Le Corps Image”. The films have been remastered as part of a NFSA (National Film and Sound Archive) project. The films will form part of a major retrospective of Stephen’s work to be premiered at next year’s Queer Screen’s 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney in February 2023 curated by Simon Hunt with screenings in other capital cities to follow.

Photos: Toula Anastas

After a rigorous 2-3 year development period (with some thanks to the Covid lockdowns!) “The Widow”, the 6 x 1-hour limited series drama adaptation of our proof of concept, short film is to be pushed out to the market place fresh in the coming new year.  Established, award-winning Australian film and television writer, Chris Anastassiades, acted as a creative consultant and script editor during the development.

We’ll be searching for keen and supportive producing partners and ultimately, streamers and broadcasters to help us realise this exciting period crime-drama series.  It represents a culmination of 6 years work, which started with a four-minute pitch film to encourage crowd funding of our 30-minute short film.

The Widow - 6 x 1 hour episodes for streaming - Ready for the world.

Catherine performing as “Catherine McQuade and The Perfect Storm”, a nine piece ensemble of Melbourne musicians , including Clare Moore on vibes and backing vocals and guest vocalist, Dave Graney, played to an enthralled capacity audience at the St. Kilda’s Memo Hall on the 19th of November.

Catherine showcased a new collection of lush, cinematic songs from her new album “Kiss Him Goodbye” and a couple from her previous album, “The Perfect Storm”. A dazzling light show and specially edited narrative videos, curated by Catherine’s partner Brendan Young, were projected on a large screen on stage as an arresting visual accompaniment to the band’s performance. On the bill were two other seasoned and much loved musicians, Jack Howard (Hunters & Collectors; Midnight Oil) and Rosie Westbrook, also launching their respective new albums.

Catherine has a few more shows coming up in the first half of the new year.

Catherine McQuade launches new album “Kiss Him Goodbye” at a spectacular showcase at Memo Hall, St. Kilda

The music video for the Catherine McQuade song, “Life Is Elsewhere”, taken from from her eponymous titled EP (and included as an added extra on her latest album “Kiss Him Goodbye”) has collected an award for “Best Music Video” at the Procida International Film Festival in Naples, Italy. The music video directed by Brendan Young, features Catherine McQuade strolling through a dystopian, abandoned urban landscape, culminating in a delirious finale set in a verdant forest landscape. A majority of the video was shot during Melbourne’s harsh lockdowns, making use of the desolate streets and public spaces.

Life is Elsewhere wins Best Music Video 2022

The Widow short film concluded its extensive international festival run, traversing the globe for almost a three year period by picking up it’s 218th award! The proof of concept short film written and directed Brendan Young and produced by Brendan and Catherine McQuade has participated and screened in festivals in countries such as Italy, the United States, China, the U.K., Turkey, Australia, and France to name a few. The latest award “Best Crime Short” comes from the Jean-Luc Godard Awards film festival in Kolkata, India. A spin-off from the Cult Critic Movie Awards. And kind of fitting considering the film’s 1960s black and white , nouvelle vague influenced style. The film is currently screening on a new streaming platform, “Vidiverse” created and curated by celebrated Australian filmmaker Alex Proyas.

The Widow (short film) collects its 218th award