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Want to check out a mind-bending thriller that showcases two sisters attempting to escape an island with dark occults in the works? Then look no further than independent Aussie short Damon Island, written and directed by James Choe and featuring a diverse cast and crew, consisting of many talented young Asian Australian actors.
Cassie, played by Natalie Tran (former SBS PopAsia radio host), is in a race against time to find her little sister, Abbie, played by Elena Liu, who goes missing during an evacuation of Damon Island.
It’s made very clear that the island is not a safe place to be at night, especially with a group known as ‘The Blue Guard’ lurking in the shadows, and so Cassie must find her sister and head to the wharf to leave as soon as possible.
Throughout Cassie’s journey to finding her sister, viewers learn that there’s something sinister happening on the island and it connects to the mystery of Abbie’s disappearance.
The film’s divided into three chapters and the story frequently shifts between the past and present, which can cause confusion at times, but also keeps audiences guessing and trying to fill in the blanks (a second watch may be required to pick up little clues left throughout).
As a viewer, you’ll be asking yourself a number of questions at any given point, which makes it a thrilling ride until the end.
Despite some weaker scenes scattered throughout, the short’s positives far outweigh its few downfalls. Its music, composed by Choe, is evocative, the make-up can be awesomely gruesome at times, its editing is short and short (some scenes feel like a music video) and its VFX are remarkable, creating a truly immersive dark dystopian world.
For a self-funded indie film, Damon Island is a unique, tension-filled short that leaves audiences wanting more, which fans will hopefully get if the teaser at its conclusion is any indication.
For more information and to see the film, visit the official Damon Island website.