Short Summary
Director's Statement
Human. Animal. Where exactly lies the difference?
Animus is an uncompromising reaction to both a world that is slowly eating itself as well as an anodyne culture of filmmaking that has come to permeate the independent film market in recent years.
A meditation on the relationship between human psychology and evolutionary biology that has led humanity to where it is today; it explores the minds of two fascinating characters, locked in an enticing battle of wits.
The content is provocative, contentious and intellectually stimulating; captivating in the same way that watching a predator's kill is simultaneously horrific yet hypnotic. The style is visually striking; employing a rich mixed-media format that is at once psychedelic, surreal, classical and abstract.
Did we ever leave the jungle? Are the morals we champion innate or constructed? Is our true nature both altruistic and selfish?
At least the animals in us don't lie.
-Jamie Murray, January 2021
The Team
We have an all star cast and crew creating this extraordinary masterpiece. The talented and experienced professionals involved are committed and excited to bring this project to life with your help! Check out their brief bios below:
Jamie Murray - Writer & Director
Jamie Murray was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1991. He immigrated with his family to Sydney, Australia at a young age and instantly took an interest in the rich culture of arts that permeated the city.
He studied a double major in English & Film Studies at UNSW, graduating in 2014. He then extended his studies to Sydney Film School, where he graduated with a diploma in screen and media in 2017, taking out best director honors for his debut long format short film, "Nangana."
Nangana went on to accrue 9 laurels; including several nominations for best director and best film at various film festivals, placing as a finalist at Orion Film festival, a semi-finalist at the prestigious Syd-Indie Film Festival, as well as winning Best Screenplay at the MCIFA in Melbourne. https://filmfreeway.com/Nangana
Jamie has directed high-value music videos for signed artists including "Oceans" (2018) "Dead Jokers" (2018) and "Move Me" (2019) as well as working as an editor for the web series "The Oxford Circus" (2018) and award winning short films "Parastas" (2016, M. McKinney) and "Limbo" (2020, C. Sole.)
Jamie continues his work as a director in 2021 and has several new projects he is currently undertaking with the production collective 376 Films.
Kaytee Elliott - Executive Producer
Captivating, cutting edge and current - Kaytee produces content to create a real impact and impress her audience. She's always with one ear to the ground to get the next best thing out into the world.
She's particularly drawn to off centre ideas and new, fresh and sometimes risky ways to tell a story.
Her background in sales and marketing make her the perfect companion for considering release and audience engagement. She's produced projects which have received funding from both corporate and government agencies and is always keen to get boots on the ground and deliver on time.
When she's not producing she's pitching her novel to literary agents in Sydney. Her passion is in the darkly comic, the sly phrase that cracks a smile and seeing an audience enjoy her production.
Calum Stewart - Director of Photography
Based in Sydney, Australia, Calum is a highly skilled director of photography and camera operator with a wealth of industry experience gained on a diverse range of national and international projects. He has become renowned for his visual flair, work ethic and creativity. https://www.calumstewart.com/
Fen Leon - Lead Role
Fen is a Melbourne born actor trained in musical theatre and stage performance. Last year he shifted to screen acting, secured an agent, and was cast in 9 short films. Their acting has covered comedy, drama, surrealism and coming of age stories. In tandem, Fen is undertaking a Master degree in Data Science. With a keen interest in the intersection of art, narratives and data.
Chris Hardy - Lead Role
Chris Hardy has been creatively involved in theatre and film throughout his whole life, and presently teaches English and the Creative Arts. With a strong passion for literature and the theatre, he studied acting under Kevin Jackson in Australia, and under Carrie Zivetz in Tokyo as part of the TIP (Tokyo International Plays) throughout the 1980’s.
He has co-written and performed in many stage productions and short films as well as founding the Austin Theatre Group. His independent film experience has seen him on screen at several Trop Fest Film Festivals in Sydney, Australia.
Chris majored in English Literature at Sydney University, and went on to write and direct several stage shows. Aesthetically he is drawn to a wide variety of genres, with a particular love for practitioners such as David Mamet and Martin McDonagh, as well as Tom Stoppard, Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett and Shakespeare.