A new series of films directed by Photoplay’s Jasmin Tarasin documents the lives of her neighbors as the close-knit community in NSW Australia self isolates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled ‘Together Alone’, it opens with Shiko Sahay, who lives with her partner, graphic artist Louis Joyce, and their young two boys showing how they have built a bush sanctuary by the sea while living mostly in isolation, working from home and raising their sons.
Another film features Emma Saunders, a choreographer who works on large-scale dance projects for Sydney Festival and Carriageworks.
And then finally there is painter and tattoo artist Montana Miller, who resides in a share house in, Austinmer. Miller users her own body as a blank canvas to refine her tattooing skills.
“During isolation I could feel all of my friends around me in their now small worlds, spinning around in their homes. I felt like I wanted to be a fly on the wall and be a part of my friend’s lives,” said Says Tarasin.
“As a director, I needed to define myself again and tell stories about the human condition, particularly during this time. In a safe and social distanced fashion, a local DOP – Jack Saltmiras – and I went into three homes and spent a few hours documenting the spirit of our community through the lens of these people’s lives.”
The project also features a compilation film with parts of all three stories.
Credits
Director: Jasmin Tarasin
DOP: Jack Saltmiras
Editor: Joelle Baudet
Colourist: Fergus Rotherham
Composer: Tommy Spender
Post Production: The Editors
Sound Mix: Squeak E Clean Studios
EP: Oliver Lawrance & Photoplay Films
