Director and screenwriter Catherine Bisley had to wear many hats during the making of her short film, including that of production designer; this lead to some very specific challenges.
"I was lying awake at night and fretting about where on earth I was going to get a softside waterbed (a key prop) and then the next day I get a call from [the shop] Mr Waterbed NZ: he's just uninstalled one and we can have it! I also had to do a last-minute oil painting workshop so I could paint some key art."
Catherine says her short film is a “strange, unsettling, darkly funny film". It's structured around the long-known about, but only recently documented phenomenon of orca pods hunting blue whales, and uses the hunt to explore contemporary human brutality at a corporate wellness retreat.
Although Cetology explores the themes of entitlement and brutality, the making of it was defined by "heart-warming generosity from an amazingly talented crew, suppliers, and locations which mitigated the budget and resourcing challenges.”
Catherine describes the NZIFF as “a winter haven for cinema lovers,” and during the festival itself, she plans to enjoy an ocean-themed cocktail or two: “maybe a blue lagoon or an anchovy infused martini — that sounds revolting as I write it, but I'm assured they are tasty.”
Cetology is one of five shorts chosen to screen before specific features.
Director, Screenplay Catherine Bisley