IN DEVELOPMENT
Wake Up
SURREAL DRAMA • SHORT FILM
A daughter is forced to come to terms with her relationship with her mother.
STATUS
Pre-Production
SHOOTING
Sept 2026
LOCATION
Sydney
WRITER & DIRECTOR
DARKY
Synopsis
On the anniversary of her father’s passing, Odette is forced to come to terms with her complex relationship with her mother as old wounds resurface.
Director’s note
Wake up is about the incubation of ‘normality’ through our nuclear family.
As the adage goes, if you put a frog in boiling water it will hop straight out. But if you put it in cold water and slowly turn the heat up, it won’t notice until it’s too late.
Visually and tonally, the film will contrast with a mix of realism and surrealism.
Roles we are looking for
This two-hander has an intentionally small crew. If you’re interested in any of the roles below, we’d love to hear from you.
Cast
• Odette (25-35 yrs)
The daughter. She is sweet-natured, a little aloof, and has little confidence in herself. As an only child, and with her father having passed away, her complex relationship with her mother has become even more important.
• Christine (45-55 yrs)
Odette’s mother. She is self-absorbed, manipulative, charming and controlling. Just your usually sociopath who you grew up with.
Note: that this performance is delivered off-screen (phone conversations)
Crew
• Production Designer
• Composer
More roles
We’re also keen to hear from people who would like to assist (e.g. boom operating, script supervising, gaffers, etc.).