Young WA filmmaker Emilie Lowe’s debut feature, The Canary, making waves here and abroad

A brand-new survival period feature film, The Canary, is making waves on the international festival circuit, marking an impressive debut for 24-year-old dyslexic filmmaker Emilie Lowe.

Produced by Salt and Honey Productions, this extraordinary project began when Lowe was just 21 and showcases her passion for storytelling alongside the rich and diverse landscapes of Western Australia.

Set in the 19th century, The Canary tells the story of Florence, a woman adrift on the open ocean with only a wooden lifeboat and a caged canary for company.

Battling the vast sea and the unforgiving Australian wilderness, Florence’s journey is one of defying societal norms and finding inner strength – a message of perseverance and empowerment that permeates throughout the film’s production.

Shot with a skeleton crew of just four people over three years, the film is an ambitious project on a micro budget, with Lowe herself wearing many hats, including director, writer, actor, editor, and production designer.

In addition, cinematographer Peter Renzullo is legally blind, and composer Nicholas Gardiner contributed significantly, further underlining the film’s themes of resilience and self-acceptance.

The production faced intense challenges, including shooting through a scorching summer and during the COVID pandemic across an array of WAlocations including Yallingup, Fremantle, and Mundaring.

The film also features a 100-year-old lifeboat, lovingly loaned by a local couple and adding authenticity to the period setting.

Despite these hurdles, The Canary has already received international acclaim, winning awards in New York, Cannes, London, and Los Angeles for cinematography, acting, and costume design.

Lowe credits the community spirit and creative ingenuity of Western Australians for the film’s success: “For anyone with a unique vision, I’d say: take the risk, work with what you have, and make it happen. WA has so much to offer, and we’re fortunate to be able to capture its beauty.”

The Canary is screening at the Backlot Theatre this Saturday 18 January following two already sold-out sessions – grab one of a few remaining tickets here.