The poignant short film is a change of pace for Baker, who viewers most recently saw as the menacing Ivan Kroll, a chainsaw-wielding hitman in Netflix’s acclaimed adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe. Yet, as a man crushed by grief and doubt, Baker shines again, delivering a profoundly resonant performance.
Set in 1980s suburban Brisbane, In Absence is inspired by writer-director Nevison’s own devastating childhood experiences of loss, grief and upheaval. The result is a family grappling with a crisis of faith caught on the big screen.
“When I read Paul’s thoughtful writing, I knew I wanted to be involved in this project. It beautifully balanced an intriguing and fragile emotional arc while tackling some of life’s biggest questions,” says Baker.
“Paul provided immense support and allowed us the freedom to explore the depths of each scene, making it one of the most creatively fulfilling sets I’ve worked on in a while.”
Baker is joined on screen by 11-year-old sensation Jack LaTorre, whose credits include notable projects such as Nine Perfect Strangers with Nicole Kidman, Pieces of Her with Toni Collette and David Wenham, and the AACTA award-winning Amazon series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart with Sigourney Weaver.
“Despite being so young, Jack’s ability to tap into the depths of his character’s emotions was truly haunting. I’m excited for audiences to feel the tension between father and son and experience their redemptive journey towards a new understanding,” Nevison says.
Jack has recently wrapped filming as Max Shearer in the Australian feature film Runt, based on the hugely popular book of the same name, along with another upcoming Australian feature Kid Snow.
Based in regional Queensland, talented director Nevison has gained a reputation for crafting layered worlds and nurturing authentic performances from actors to create films that leave audiences deeply moved. Yet he’s quick to redistribute credit among the film’s talented ensemble.
“Working on such a personal film alongside Chris was a true pleasure. With his exceptional instincts for capturing the essence of a moment, he offered unwavering support to his fellow cast members, leading to wonderfully truthful moments. Chris is truly an actor’s actor. I’ve admired his work in Ozark and True Detective, and it was a dream to work with an artist so dedicated to his craft.”
The film was partly funded by grants from the Regional Arts Development Fund and the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation, which both seek to champion the arts from practitioners living in regional areas.
In Absence was shot in Brisbane over four days in late 2023. Acclaimed LA-based cinematographer Bjorn Amundsen seamlessly delivers the film’s cinematography, having previously worked with Nevison on three films that received Cannes Young Director Awards. In Absence is produced by Isobel Jones and executive produced by 13CO’s Roy De Giorgio and Charity Downing.
“Paul is a passionate storyteller whose work is evocative and honest, bringing a wealth of experience and critical acclaim in telling stories that compassionately move audiences. In Absence is a profound tale, and we eagerly anticipate sharing it with audiences in the near future,” says De Giorgio.
The film will spend the upcoming months on the festival circuit while Nevison works on developing the script into a full-length feature film.
