Contrition premieres at Sydney festival
a deeply personal short film
Inspired by my mother’s stories about attending boarding schools in the 1960s while my refugee grandparents painted statues in churches across Australia, Contrition delves into themes of rebellion, freedom, and the tension between personal identity and institutional authority.
Contrition premiered as part of Sydney Underground Film Festival’s Homebaked Shorts Program.
THE STORY
Set at a Catholic boarding school in regional Australia in the 1960s, Contrition follows Ildi, a headstrong 17-year-old student. After being caned for an April Fool’s prank in which she dyed her fellow boarders’ underwear a raunchy red, Ildi begins to suspect the school’s priest is betraying her trust by sharing her private confessions with the principal. Determined to catch him in the act, she crafts a plan that ultimately challenges the institution’s oppressive control over her life.
The film’s pivotal scene takes place in the confessional, where Ildi decides to provoke the priest by sharing details about her relationship with Maria, a university student and former boarder, whose life represents the freedom Ildi yearns for—one beyond the constraints of the strict Catholic school. As the priest struggles with his own suppressed desires and guilt, his decision to expose Ildi for her supposed transgressions exposes the hypocrisy not only of his position, but of the church itself.
FROM PRODUCING TO DIRECTING
As an emerging Australian female film producer, I had previously supported directors to tell authentic stories on films like Adele. While keeping my pragmatic production sensibilities about me as a writer/director, I was able to make this film on a very small budget.
Working alongside director of photography Kevin Khang, the making of Contrition was highly collaborative. In developing the visual style, it was imperative to stay true to the era despite budgetary constraints. This meant one of our biggest feats was finding period-appropriate locations with ample natural light. Another choice that helped us really lean into the 1960 setting was the choice of vintage spherical lenses.
The carefully crafted mise-en-scene combined with Amy Tustian’s stellar performance inspired by the hit TV show Fleabag, resulted was a visually striking and emotionally resonant film that captures the rebellious spirit of its protagonist.
Actor Amy Tustian stars Contrition as Ildi
DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE FILMMAKING
My identity as a disabled filmmaker and second-generation immigrant shapes how I approach storytelling. I am both neurodivergent and chronically ill, and my mother is a Hungarian refugee and WWII survivor. This film gave me the opportunity to honour my mother’s experiences by showcasing her resilience. She is also part of the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, so Contrition had hard-baked subtitles and audio descriptions for accessibility.
It was an honour for Contrition to premiere at the Sydney Underground Film Festival in Newtown, a place that truly celebrates diverse voices.
The Importance of Representation in Australian Films by Female Directors
I heard somewhere that “the personal is the universal”, and I think that’s true. In drawing from my mother’s history, and my own experiences of oppression at the hands of an institution, I told a story that shows the freedom we all crave and the bravery it takes to rebel in pursuit of it.
Shorts like mine are part of a broader movement of Australian films by female directors that aim to amplify underrepresented voices. Contrition’s Official Selection at Sydney Underground Film Festival was a testament to the growing recognition of diverse, female-led stories the Australian film landscape.
THE FUTURE OF AUSSIE FEMALE CREATIVES
Without wanting to get too deep, I almost see Contrition as more than a short film: it’s a reflection on the power dynamics of authority, the resilience of youth, and the courage to confront oppression. As an Aussie female creative, we’re still battling to get the recognition we deserve in our field. Young Australian female film producers are not only contending with the challenges filmmaking presents, but also an industry in which there is a pronounced gender imbalance. I am proud to contribute to a growing body of Australian Films by female directors who are reshaping the narrative landscape.
This film stands as a tribute to my mother, my heritage, and the stories that deserve to be told. Glass ceilings, prepare to be smashed. If you’d like to see more of my work, visit my portfolio or follow me on Vimeo.
