DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT - Murray Keane
“There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. Ham. V.2
Falling Sparrows is a thirteen minute drama on 35mm, written and directed by Murray Keane. Murray.s background is as an actor but since his looks began to fade he crossed over to the other side and has been a full time director for the last six years.
Falling Sparrows is the story of two warring factions, except this war is just a game held between six young boys.
His film could best be described as Saving Private Ryan for eight year olds. Most young boys have played war games at some time or another. Even when forbidden by politically correct parents to play with toy guns, boys will still pick up a wooden spoon and shoot someone with it. The difference in this kind of war is that usually no-one really dies.
Set in a rural Kiwi landscape Falling Sparrows examines war in its manyincarnations. As a glamorous and exciting game, as a piece of cinema, as a part of history and as a reality.
Falling Sparrows stars the hot young talent of tomorrow. Though aged only seven to eleven all the cast bring an enormous degree of acting experience. Daniel Logan who plays Mark is presently shooting the latest Star Wars film. Other veteran performers are Tyler Read as James; Jack Fox as Geoff; Nikola Jaksic as Buzz; Elliot Lawless as Chris and Joseph Main as Cedric.
The director recalls, .in the small country town I came from the local park had a large war memorial statue right in the middle. With some mates help I scaled up the statue and left a large rubbish bin on its head, which we thought was hilarious. This film is my way of making amends.”
