Ishmael

Ishmael is a surrealist medieval short film, inspired by the likes of Aguirre Wrath of God and Seventh Seal. The film follows the eponymous soldier, Ishmael as he confronts the reality of his brutal work. He is a crown sanctioned murderer tasked with quelling a rebellion brought on by mass psychosis. When an especially delusional pig farmer (Absalom) is taken prisoner Ismael and his partner, the priest Boethius, must make a decision. Should they continue doing what they’ve always done or pursue a convoluted plan, a gamble that could either absolve them from guilt or leave all three dead?

We’ve turned to crowdfunding to get the last funds to get production over the line and ensure the shoot can have all the key amenities to run smoothly

Who is involved?:

I am Louis Joblin. I will be directing and production designing the film. I’ve recently completed my Master of Fine Arts at Victoria University and have spent the last year being a hired gun for various shorts and tv series working primarily in the Art Department. Ishmael will be the first short I’ve directed since graduating. I’m excited to be collaborating with incredible talent including:

• Crosby Allen-Jennings – Producer
• Georgia Ah-Kuoi – Producer
• Jess George – Production Manager
• Jess Charlton – Cinematographer

Especially our fantastic cast:

• Roy Iro – Ishmael
• Anthony Ahern – Absalom
• Ralph Johnson – Boethius
• Steven Cronin – Gwyn
• Sam O’Connor - Florian

Throughout early March of this year we will be shooting from Johnsonville to Lake Wairarapa to bring Ishmael’s slow unraveling to the big screen. Our aspirations are to take this film into international festivals and for the short to later be used as a proof of concept for a feature film, Chernobog.

Your support is needed

We’re raising money to help cover the remaining cost for creating Ishmael, primarily:

• Unit costs (catering, shelter, van hire, etc)
• Travel
• Costume hire for extras.
• Festival submissions.

Ishmael is result of two years of thinking, creation and preparation. It is my debut short film and is of a type and tone not often made in New Zealand. The film is a realisation of my creative idiosyncrasies, a labour of love to bring a story, settings and characters that have is not often shown on screen before. The sort of story usually well outside the budget of emerging filmmakers. I want to show what is possible on a limited budget with planning, and resourcefulness