ABOUT

ANNA is a short film made by AUT University Film & Television Major graduates. Directed by Harriett Maire and Produced by Phoebe Jeurissen, ANNA is their final film project.

Short Synopsis: ANNA follows the actions and interactions of Anna, a young woman on the Autism Spectrum, and what happens when her routine is unexpectedly interrupted.

Anna enjoys living a life of rigorous routine and her condition is made easier by her ability to control the little details of her day, which give her a sense of regularity.

When someone unintentionally sits on her seat on her morning bus, her day is sent spinning out of control.

This is a story about how Anna copes with unplanned changes to her day.

COMMENDATIONS

This film is a little beauty - sensitive, honest & fresh. You enter the mind space and feel the feelings -

there is empathy, hope and so much promise here. Nicely done, Harriet & Phoebe

-Fiona Samuel

ANNA, a beautifully realised story about Anna, an autistic girl and her struggle to contain her responses to the world around her. As a Patron of Arts Access Aotearoa and as a film maker myself, I am delighted to see this complex and generous-hearted portrait of someone on the edge of society's "norms".

Harriett and Phoebe have made a film with beauty, humour and humanity. They have drawn authentic and deeply felt performances from their cast and their cinematographic eye perfectly paints the disturbed balance between symmetry and asymmetry in Anna's world.

The ending seems poised at the brink of a possible new world for Anna. Both from the perspectives of the exploration of disability and from a film making perspective I congratulate Phoebe and Harriett on a rich achievement.

- Miranda Harcourt

It’s a great short film with a simple premise and arc.

I loved the framing, the pace and the score.

The lead is an exceptional actor who was extremely convincing, particularly in the crying scene under the covers… very emotional response from me.

Overall, an exceptionally produced, well directed and performed piece that is moving

- Jenz Hertzum