Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home

Director Martin Wilson and Writer Brendon Guthrie have successfully set out to tell a tale of guilt, belief and a secret from the past wrapped around the plot device of raising the dead as the central maguffin of the piece.

Seth Selwyn's father has passed away. His mother Ruth has retreated into a world of bibles, rosary beads, guilt and denial. She neglects to see her own son's pain and his downward spiral, which his Uncle Frank sees as a sign of madness. He wants to commit Seth to an insane asylum and in the process bury a secret that Ruth and him have kept from the boy and his father.

But Seth's way of dealing with his father's death, does not constitute madness. Little do his mother and Uncle know that he is scheming to bring his father back from the dead with the help of a lawn mower battery, jump cables and a lot of faith in God.

However Dr Frankenstein he is not and everything does not go to plan... But fate has way of interfering for the greater good of all concerned and the secret that Seth's mom and Uncle have kept from him will be no more...

At under 29 minutes in length the viewer is treated to Hitchcockian visuals, haunting and well timed to the beat of the scene music, heartfelt performances that at times you can really feel, well paced editing and an overall atmosphere that doesn't give away a specific date or period in time and location.

In someone else's hands the story could easily have become a one-film joke with scene after scene of Seth using various method to bring his father back to life, but the film makers have gone against type, shown restrain from going over the top, choosing instead to concentrate on crafting a short film that can stand repeated viewings and stand the test of time. And not many shorts can do that-Hat's off to all involved...

If you're a film maker from one of the most isolated cities on the planet you'd better be prepared to shout very loud.

Soul Films' production of 'Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home' does just that.

Martin Wilson and Angie Smith - the director / producer team behind Soul Films - are at the vanguard of a new wave of Australian film makers that are making a name for themselves on the International scene.

Being based in the Western Australian capital of Perth is about as far away from the 'Oz scene' - and world scene for that matter - as you can be whilst still on the same continent.

But for Soul, this 'tyranny of distance' has given them the time and space to perfect their craft.

And the result ?

A 'sharp as razor' production team that have come up with a little 'gem' of a film.

When young Seth Selwyn's father passes away, Seth sets out to see if hope really does spring eternal and whether a dose of old fashioned religion and his father's favourite lawn mower battery can stem the flow of his mother's tears.

It seems the only thing that will make her happy, and stop Uncle Frank from committing Seth 'to the nut-house' is, as Seth pleads, a resurrection "like you did for Mr Lazarus".

Tamblyn Lord is simply outstanding as the main character, Seth. His mesmerizing performance lends a touching sensitivity to the narrative. The luminous, Deborah Kennedy gives a rich, multilayer-ed performance as his repressed Mother.

It would be easy in a dark comedy such as this to go for 'over the top' but as the director, Martin Wilson masterly draws out just the right amount of slapstick and emotional warmth.

Wilson is an actor's director, displaying all the classic sensibilities found in the best of his craft.

His attention to the detail of each and every character is the making of this film. He has also made a very handsome film, filled with striking, vivid images that grace the screen to purely serve the story.

"I think they've done a stunning job, Martin has a classic Hollywood style, he shows genuine skill and vision," says the Australian Film Commission's project manager for the film Cristina Pozzan.

In fact she's not alone in her praise, as one of Australia's premier film commentators Phillip Adams called it "exemplary In every department" and "of the highest professional standard... beautifully crafted."

By coupling the gorgeous cinematography of Torstein Dyrting with a compelling and haunting score by James Ledger as well as superb performances from the rest of the cast and a brilliant, highly original screenplay by Brendon Guthrie, Martin Wilson has achieved a wonder - a charming little film, rich in humanity, it leaves you with that warm, happy feeling in the pit of your stomach.

It's the first time the ( Australian ) film industry has really heard the names of Martin Wilson, Angie Smith or Soul Films for that matter but if "Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home" is their calling card then it'll merely be the first of many when the cinema world, popcorn in hand, settles into their seats to watch a Soul Film .

Rob McGlynn If Magazine