Cover Image: Young couple Anna (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) and Jack (Nicholas Denton) in Alphabet Lane

This Australian continent certainly has some spectacular scenery – purpose built it would seem for shooting some memorable films especially in the hinterland –  think of The Drover’s Wife, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Wake in Fright, Wolf Creek and The Well. In these films, the Outback seems to insinuate itself into the climate rather like an animated, and often, scary presence.

If you love these kinds of film, as most of us do, being born with that atavistic fear of strangers in the dark, well hold onto your hats for the launch of James Litchfield’s outback thriller Alphabet Lane, which opens in Perth on 23 April. It’s described as a darkly funny thriller about isolation in which a young couple Anna (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) and Jack (Nicholas Denton) living on an enormous farmstead invent imaginary neighbours (played by Bishanyia Vincent and Henry Nixon) to ward off a sense of loneliness. The joke spirals out of hand and thereby hangs the tale.

The film is showing, rather fittingly at The Backlot Perth – itself a purpose-built cinema/presentation space – nestling amongst some very interesting old buildings (perhaps darkly ghost-filled) on the corner of Loftus and Newcastle Streets.

In the chair for Q & A after the film is the vivacious Fremantle born actor Bishanyia Vincent, who plays the role of the “Real” Michelle. 

Vincent is a multi-talented woman – actor, singer, budding writer, yoga instructor and drama teacher. A John Curtin Graduate who didn’t know how get into the acting arts world when she left school, so travelled to Europe doing bar and restaurant work. Vincent lived on a long boat in London before ending up at The Oxford Drama College, working hard to support herself until receiving a full scholarship there. She had some minor roles in live theatre including in The Rivals with Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles before coming back to Australia where she found work in theatre and TV. And, happily, in her favourite art form – musicals – the best role of which so far was Nell Gwynne. She has worked in several TV series, including NCIS Sydney, Bump, Bluey (as the Hospital Kid’s Mum), and RFDS (where, as Jennifer, she very memorably gave birth to a baby in a plane.)

When the Writer and Director, of Alphabet Lane James Litchfield rang to ask her to be in his Indie film she read the script and accepted on the spot, inspired, she says, by “The innovative script, the dialogue, the dark humour and the unexpected turn of events.” She loved “Litchfield’s artistic vision, concentration on thematic depth, atmosphere and dark humour, over high-octane action and special effects.” She knew too, that being an Indie film with the constraints of a small budget, all those involved would have to rely on their passion and creativity and resourceful film making techniques. She says Litchfield was a perfect Director and the film “really engaging.” She loved working with the incredible cast and crew, “Such a dream group of humans to be on set with.”

The once a lawyer, VCA graduate, Litchfield himself grew up on the homestead in Cooma, in the remote Monaro region of NSW, where Alphabet Lane was shot. “The landscape I grew up in was beautiful, quiet, cold, eerie, austere and mystical.” The idea for the film came from him noticing over the years that a lot of isolated couples seemed to have a third relationship – sometimes a dog – but sometimes just something intangible. “As a boy I had an imaginary teddy bear,” he says laughing. The idea percolated in his mind, through the Covid era, until he fathomed it out and wrote the script in six months. 

Alphabet Lane was shot in just under a month and is Litchfield’s debut film. “My first job,” he says. “It was great. I was privileged to have lovely, talented actors, able to work with an up-and-coming crew and had a terrific Producer, Lucinda Reynolds.” The composer is Mark Bradshaw (with bird calls and humming by British actor Ben Whishaw) the cinematographer is Gregoire Liere and the editor Paul Rowe.

It certainly sounds great. Can’t wait to see it – see you there. You’ll love meeting Bishanyia Vincent who says we must support Australian films. Of course we must. It’s no chore – Aussie outback films are like no other and this is proudly following in their footsteps.

A local screening followed by a Q&A with Bishanyia Vincent & Suzanne Worner will be held on April 23 at the Backlot Perth. Book tickets here.

Alphabet Lane is a Joe Films production. Principal production funding from Screen Australia. Local distribution by Screen Inc. Developed with the assistance of Screen NSW.