by FIlmInk Staff
For anyone new to Eyes of Salt, how would you describe the film?
“Eyes of Salt is a Sydney/LA indie feature film, it follows Tanner a New York lawyer who returns to his estranged father’s seaside home after 30 years, carrying a secret that threatens to unravel what’s left of their fractured relationship.”
Where does Kieran fit into Tanner’s journey?
“Kieran is the first person we meet with Tanner on Australian soil. He is the Uber driver who picks him up from the airport and drives him towards the next big step in the story, which is going to see his father. He gets Tanner from A to B but also sets the tone and gives us an early window into this world.”
What was it about Kieran that made you want to say yes to the role?
“James rang me out of the blue, told me a bit about the project and my creative cogs just started spinning. We had worked together on Malibu Crush and we are mates now, so there is already a shorthand. Kieran sounded like a bit of a laugh with room to play, so I jumped at it. It was basically a straight offer from James, then a bit of back-and-forth on the script and how Kieran might land.”
How does your shared indie background with James shape the way you work together?
“On Malibu Crush, we bonded over a shared love of film and the realities of indie filmmaking. You swap war stories about how hard it is to get anything made and how much of a hustle it can be, but also how satisfying it is when something finally gets over the line. That understanding creates a lot of trust. You both know you are trying to protect the story and do the best work you can with whatever you have on the day.”
What is James like to work with on set, especially in those driving scenes?
“I consider James a good friend now. He has a very calm, practical way of directing, so if something does not quite land you never feel judged, he just guides you into another take. On the driving days, he was in the back seat as Tanner, still watching the light. We would come through Bondi and he would say, ‘The sun looks great there, let’s go again,’ so we would do another pass. We drove for a good three to three and a half hours. Once the lines were solid, it became like having a mate in the car and chatting while I drove.”
Is Kieran just comic relief, or is there something more under the surface?
“He definitely starts as a bit of a clown, and I actually think comedy is harder than drama. With Kieran there is more going on. He is funny and a bit all over the shop, but there is also stress, neediness and maybe a touch of sadness. He is doing his best, but using humour to cover a bit of pain. I wanted him to feel like one of those slightly rubbish Uber drivers we have all had, where you sense there is a whole life going on off-camera.”
What are you most excited for audiences to discover when they see Eyes of Salt?
“I am excited for people just to see the film and this really multicultural cast that feels true to both Sydney and LA. On a visual level, I am keen for audiences to sit in the car with us and see little flashes of Sydney slide past, especially as the sun is going down over Bondi. And on a selfish level, I am curious to see how people respond to Kieran. He is only there for a slice of the story, but hopefully he leaves a bit of a mark.”
What have you got in the pipeline after Eyes of Salt?
“I have just finished working with Joy Hopwood on her new feature Her Last Laugh, playing a solicitor called Jack Peterson. Joy has a very strong multicultural lens in her work. Her stories bring together characters from different backgrounds and communities, which really reflects the Sydney I see day to day, so I am chuffed to be part of that. On a personal note, I am going to the Gold Coast for the AACTA Awards. A few friends are in the mix, so my wife Suki and I support them, turn it into a bit of a trip and also see family who live up that way.”
