The Push (Short Film)

We are seeking production funds to help make the short film The Push, filming in the stunning Canterbury region in April 2021. It is written by Tom Sainsbury, directed by Kyan Krumdieck, and produced by Jo Raj & Jessica Todd.

WHAT IS THE PUSH ABOUT?

Dan and Tash are on a long multi-day tramp in the remote Southern Alps. Near the end of one day, Tash has a terrible shock. Someone was just pushed off that cliff! But when Dan looks up all he sees is a distant figure. They rush to help the fallen person, but they can’t find any sign of anyone having fallen to their death.

Having only seen a distant silhouetted man, and no other evidence to support what Tash says she saw, Dan’s doubts fester. It’s getting dark and he insists they continue to the hut for the night. There is a single man waiting for them. Tash is convinced they are in the company of a murderer, and Dan is forced to decide what he really thinks is going on. 

The scabs are ripped off the couple’s fundamental problems, revealing how inaction and disbelief can make you complicit in something terrible.

The Push is a moody thriller about who you choose to believe and why.

BRINGING A FILM TO CANTERBURY

Both Kyan and Jess are from Christchurch and are really excited to have a high end project to produce in the region. Canterbury is under showcased in cinema and we are working with some generous local station owners to gain access to some stunning locations for this film. 

Our small-but-perfectly-formed cast include Christchurch locals Kathleen Burns as Tash and Roy Snow as the Mysterious Man. The talented Jack Barry rounds out the cast as Dan. 

Veteran Auckland producer Jo is working with our local producer Jess to activate the Canterbury filmmaking community and build an ongoing production team. All of our crew are either from or based in Canterbury. Jess has been working with this core crew in Christchurch now for over a decade including on Working Class which Kyan directed, starring Kathleen, which premiered at Show Me Shorts 2020.

Tom, Kyan and Kathleen also collaborated on TVNZ OnDemand’s Sextortion last year, and Tom and Jo have worked on multiple projects over the last few years, so we all can’t wait to get to work together again.

WHAT WILL YOUR MONEY GO TO?

This film has been through years of development, including being selected for the 2019 NZ Film Commission’s Fresh Shorts Development Lab. The script is polished, the locations are locked. Now we just need your help to get it made.

Your donations will go towards paying our cast and crew, feeding them and keeping them warm. Everyone involved is doing this for a nominal fee, including our gear rental houses. But kai, transport to the southern alps, props and most importantly, COFFEE all cost money which is what your donation pays for. 

We think this project has the strength to get into big international film festivals that will make you proud and further our filmmaking careers. It will be a gripping heartbreaking story that also gets to show off our beautiful homeland. 

We know 2020 has been a rough year, but we really appreciate any help you can give us to get this film made. 

THE TEAM

Kyan Krumdieck - Director

Tom Sainsbury - Writer

Jo Raj - Producer

Jess Todd - Producer

Julian Vares - Director of Photography

Rosie Maguire - Boosted Campaign Manager

Jordan Mauger - 1st AD

Zac Beckett-Knight - 1st AC

Brae Toia - Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe

Chris Cubitt - Sound Recordist

Simeon Hoggan - Gaffer

CAST

Kathleen Burns - Tash
Jack Barry - Dan
Roy Snow - The Man