(2024 / Timothy Despina Mitchell / Australia / 84 minutes / Rating: 18)
UK PREMIERE
Director: Timothy Despina Marshall
Writers: Timothy Despina Marshall, Dimple Rajyaguru, Paradox Delilah
Producers: Bec Dakin, Timothy Despina Marshall, Stephanie Westwood
Cast: Daniel Monks, Susie Porter, Annabel Marshall-Roth
The London Australian Film Festival‘s ‘future cult cinema’ slot returns with Timothy Despina Marshall’s debut feature, IN THE ROOM WHERE HE WAITS, a highly-charged queer horror about longing, anxiety and isolation.
In the midst of Australia's Covid lockdowns, a Broadway actor returns home for his father's funeral. Grief-stricken, and with a long period of hotel quarantine ahead, he becomes convinced there is someone (or something) in the room with him. Is his claustrophobic mind playing tricks, or is there something more sinister in store?
A remarkable tension is maintained throughout his visceral slow-burn psychological thriller, which hinges on a stunningly vulnerable central performance from Daniel Monks (Sissy, Pulse, NT’s The Seagull). In a remarkable debut - think Relic meets All of Us Strangers - Marshall emerges as a real talent to watch!
The film will be preceded by a short film, and a pre-recorded video introduction from Timothy Despina Marshall. Australian snacks and sweets will be on sale, and a raffle will be held before the screening.
With thanks to Asymmetry Film, Orange Entertainment Co. and Screen Queensland.
"As complex as it is brilliant. Not only one of the best queer Australian films of the year it is also one of the best Australian debut features." - Nadine Whitney, The Curb
“The year’s best Australian horror…an incredible debut…a phenomenal performance." - Alaisdair Leith, NovaStream
