Refrain

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Official Selections & Awards:

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• 🌍 World Film Festival Cannes: Remember the Future

  • Official Selection

  • Nominated for multiple awards

  • 🏆 Winner: Best Film on Disability

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• 🎞️ WA Made Film Festival

  • Official Selection

  • Nominated for Audience Choice Award

  • Student Award Nominee & Winner​

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About the Film

 

Refrain is a film that delves into themes of desperation, hope, institutional control, and the stigmas surrounding the Deaf and mute community in a dystopian future. The story focuses on two central characters: Paz, a Deaf and mute prisoner and father, and his brother Evran, who is determined to help Paz and his family. Along the way, the narrative also touches on the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, the treatment of incarcerated people, and the complexities of father-daughter relationships.

 

What makes Refrain particularly close to my heart is its focus on the Deaf community, with much of the dialogue conveyed through Australian Sign Language (Auslan). It was an unique and rewarding journey working with a beautiful language I didn’t know. Editing a film rooted in such a rich and visual language was a great experience. Working with Auslan taught me not only the intricacies of the language itself but also the importance of visual storytelling in honoring the cultural context of the story.

 

To tackle this ambitious project, I started by meticulously organizing the post-production workflow. Using the MCASI server, I created a well-structured folder system to keep footage, audio, and rushes easily accessible for the director, Ben, and the DOP, Marina. This organizational approach ensured a smoother process, especially when making quick edits on set.

 

One of the unique challenges was editing the dialogue in Auslan. To respect the flow of the language and its visual nuances, I opted for action-based cuts and collaborated closely with the director to build the pacing carefully. Drawing inspiration from films like A Quiet Place and Mercury, I used precise cutting techniques to convey tension and emotion without disrupting the actors' performances.

 

Creating the sci-fi aesthetic of Refrain required me to step out of my comfort zone. Although I’m proficient in Premiere Pro, I recognized that achieving the film’s cool, minimalistic tone demanded experimenting with Davinci Resolve. Collaborating with the DOP, we settled on a blue tint to emphasize the dystopian setting. While this was a learning curve, it pushed me to grow as a color grader, and I’m eager to further hone these skills.

 

Visual effects were another significant aspect of post-production. I used POV shots and subtle VFX in the scene where Paz is injected to enhance the emotional depth and visual storytelling.

 

Like every creative endeavor, Refrain had its share of ups and downs. The tight deadline tested my limits, especially in balancing color grading, sound design, and VFX work. This experience reinforced the importance of advocating for realistic post-production schedules to ensure quality and prevent burnout.

 

Despite the challenges, the journey was immensely rewarding. Seeing Refrain come to life on screen, knowing the heart and purpose behind the story, made every late night worth it. It was also a testament to the power of collaboration—our amazing cast and crew worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.

 

Editing Refrain has not only deepened my appreciation for storytelling but also highlighted the impact of creating stories that spark meaningful conversations. From exploring the struggles of the Deaf community to addressing systemic injustices, this film serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in storytelling.

 

Looking ahead, I’m committed to continuing to grow as an editor, honing my VFX skills, and mastering tools like Davinci Resolve. But most importantly, I want to keep telling stories that connect us, challenge us, and inspire us to see the world through different perspectives.

 

Here’s to many more projects that push boundaries and spark conversations.