Leviticus

Australia202688 minEnglish

Two star-crossed teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other.

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Two star-crossed teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other.

A haunting and sensitive feature directorial debut from writer-director Adrian Chiarella, Leviticus promises a new, poignant entry into the canon of coming-of-age horror. An isolated Australian small town hosts the evils of religious fanaticism and its consequences for queer youth, creating an atmosphere that’s chilling and near-claustrophobic. Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen tenderly embody Naim and Ryan, magnetically attracted teens coming into their sexuality, yet facing physical and spiritual violence at every bend.

At times sensual, and just as often thrilling, Leviticus shines as both a harrowing Midnight experience and a queer social horror. At the core of this merciless curse narrative is an authentic reflection on what it means to love queerly despite the persistent dangers from within and without. — CA

Available in person only.

MidnightAll FeaturesFirst-Time FeaturesInternationalLGBTQ+ StoriesDramaFictionHorrorRomanceClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Credits

Director(s)
Adrian Chiarella
Screenwriter
Adrian Chiarella
Producer
Samantha Jennings
Kristina Ceyton
Hannah Ngo
Executive Producers
Salman Al-Rashid
Sam Frohman
Simmons Frazier
Daniel Negret
Robert Connolly
Liz Kearney
Mia Wasikowska
Dale Roberts
Director of Photography
Tyson Perkins
Production Designer
Bethany Ryan
Costume Designer
Zohie Castellano
Edited by
Nick Fenton
Music by
Jed Kurzel
Sound Designer
Emma Bortignon
Casting by
Nikki Barrett CSA CGA
Production Company
Causeway Films
Salmira Productions
Principal Cast
Joe Bird
Stacy Clausen
Mia Wasikowska
Jeremy Blewitt
Ewen Leslie
Davida McKenzie

Contact
Andrew Fraser
andrew@causewayfilms.com.au

Meet the Artist

Adrian Chiarella

Adrian Chiarella is an award-winning Australian writer and director. His television credits include Totally Completely Fine (Sundance Now), Erotic Stories (SBS), and Five Bedrooms (Paramount+). His short films have screened at numerous international festivals and earned him AACTA and Australian Directors’ Guild Award nominations. Leviticus is his feature film debut.

Rock Springs

After the death of her father, a grieving young girl moves to an isolated house in a new town with her mother and grandmother, only to discover there is something monstrous hidden in the town’s history and the woods behind their new home.

(1hr 37mins)

Short Film Program