Australians are known for their resilience when times are tough. Is it true, or just a reputation that we earned during a war a century ago? Photoplay director, Jasmin Tarasin, has created a series of films that suggests resilience is alive and well in her local community on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The series, Together Alone, documents the uniquely private worlds of three South Coast families during lockdown.

Photoplay’s Jasmin Tarasin explained, “During isolation I could feel all of my friends around me in their now small worlds, spinning around in their homes. I felt like I wanted to be a fly on the wall and be a part of my friend’s lives.

“As a director, I needed to define myself again and tell stories about the human condition, particularly during this time. In a safe and social distanced fashion, a local DOP – Jack Saltmiras – and I went into three homes and spent a few hours documenting the spirit of our community through the lens of these people’s lives.”

Shika Sahay lives with her partner, graphic artist Louis Joyce, and their two boys, both under four. They have built themselves a bush sanctuary by the sea and live mostly in isolation, working from home and raising their young sons.

Emma Saunders is a choreographer, who works on large-scale dance projects for Sydney Festival and Carriageworks. She lives with her musician husband, Steff, and two children Audrey and Fred in the seaside suburb of Wombarra.

Painter and tattoo artist, Montana Miller, resides in a share house in beachside village, Austinmer. During isolation, she is using her own body as a blank canvas to refine her tattooing skills and, according to Miller, this is a rich time for reflection and exploration.

Credits:

Director: Jasmin Tarasin 
DOP: Jack Saltmiras
Editor: Joelle Baudet
Colourist: Fergus Rotherham
Composer: Tommy Spender
Post Production: The Editors
Sound Mix: Squeak E Clean Studios
EP: Oliver Lawrance & Photoplay Films