Domestic violence film shot in Jackson to be entered in competitions all over the world

The 20-year-old Bond University film and television graduate returned to his family’s beef cattle property last year to shoot his short film, Calloused Hearts.

The 15-minute film is a confronting drama focusing on domestic violence in rural Australia, told through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Jacob.  

A cast and crew of 16 people spent six days shooting the film and two months editing before being premiered at Bond University on the Gold Coast on December 8.

The film will now be entered in national and international festivals including Cannes Film Festival in France and Berlin Film Festival. 

Clancy said the film originally started out as a zombie thriller.

“I decided to just tell a story that was as real as possible and as authentic as possible,” he said.

“Very fortunate in that respect (that I haven’t got a connection to domestic violence) but at the same time it has made me more passionate about telling the story for those who haven't been able to speak or those who don’t even know that it’s wrong.

“I tried to centre the theme on domestic violence particularly in rural areas. I just wanted to tell that story which I felt really hadn’t been told, at least the way I tried to tell it.”

Clancy said he had always dreamt of returning to his hometown to make his graduate film.

“I guess the main thing for me was I always wanted to go home and film it, that’s where i felt it would look best,” he said.

“A little goal of mine when I first moved to the Gold Coast was to one day return home and make this film where I had been making films for a decade before I started at Bond. 

“I wanted to go back with a full cast and crew and make a good go of it.”

The film’s main character, Jacob, was played by Mitchell teenager Jake Harrison.

While he had been doing workshops with acting coach Christopher Sommers from the Factory in Brisbane, Calloused Hearts was his first time acting on set.

Jake said the film had opened up his mind to the everyday issue that is going on. 

“Calloused Hearts is an important film,” he said.

“It shows how people in isolated areas can become so unaware of what domestic violence is and that there is help out there.

“This film meant a lot to me because I live out in an isolated area and I have no idea what happens behind closed doors.

“I want to help people who are affected. It really got me thinking.”

Jake dreams of one day starring in a film alongside his two favourite actors, Johnny Depp or Emma Stone.

While Jake has set his sights on Hollywood, Clancy said he wants to focus on his home country first.

“The dream for me is too really put Jackson on the world map,” he said.

“I don’t think people really know about it, even people from the country.

“Ultimately I’d like to put it on the map through directing as many feature films.

“I’d be honoured to work in America but I’m as Australian as they come and I want to make Australia my stomping ground.

“See where it leads me.”​