Mt Ommaney native Timothy Despina Marshall is set to showcase his critically acclaimed debut feature film “In the Room Where He Waits” in Brisbane cinemas.
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“In the Room Where He Waits,” a psychological horror that has been hailed as “the year’s best Australian horror” and “one of the best Australian debut features,” marks the realisation of Marshall’s long-held dream to create his first film in his hometown.
Marshall’s journey from a horror-obsessed kid in Mt Ommaney to an award-winning filmmaker is a testament to his passion and perseverance. He honed his craft using nothing more than a camcorder and a bottle of tomato sauce for fake blood, creating amateur horror flicks with his friends.
“This film looks at fears of loneliness and aging, and brings them to life in an unnerving claustrophobic nightmare,” Marshall explains, drawing parallels between his work and the collective experience of isolation during recent global events. “I wanted the hotel room Tobin is trapped in to become the manifestation of his deepest fears. Something many of us can relate to after spending so much time stuck inside in recent years.”
The film centres on Tobin Wade, an ambitious young star played by rising talent Daniel Monks. Forced to isolate in a hotel room before his father’s funeral, Wade confronts his subconscious fears as they materialise around him, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.
Monks, known for his roles in indie horror “Sissy” and the Aussie-made American comedy “Ricky Stanicky,” brings depth to the tormented lead. His involvement, along with his upcoming appearance in Netflix’s “Kaos” alongside Jeff Goldblum, adds to the film’s growing buzz.
Marshall’s Mt Ommaney roots have clearly influenced his artistic vision, proving that sometimes, you don’t have to venture far from home to make a significant impact in the film industry. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers in Brisbane and beyond.
Reviews
“Not only one of the best queer Australian films it is also one of the best Australian debut features. Haunting, deeply affecting, and resonant.”
Nadine Whitney (Alliance of Women Film Journalists)
Director Timothy Despina Marshall has crafted an intensely claustrophobic film. While many of us are still attempting to heal from the trauma that was the Covid-19 pandemic (particularly if you lived in Melbourne!) and this film does a great job of really tapping into that to capitalise on any unresolved feelings you have about this period. Having the lead trapped in a room, unable to leave for any reason is also the perfect setting for a horror movie.
Alaisdair Leith, Novastream Network
Local film enthusiasts can catch “In the Room Where He Waits” at a special screening this Sunday, June 30, 4:00 pm at Dendy Coorparoo.
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As Timothy Despina Marshall’s star continues to rise, Mt Ommaney can proudly claim him as one of their own – a local whose childhood passion has blossomed into a promising career in the competitive world of filmmaking.
Published 26-June-2024
