Supanova alumna Eliza Taylor’s (The 100, The Orville, Neighbours) new film It Only Takes A Night might seem like a “night out” movie on the surface, but as Aussie writer/director Callan Durlik tells Supanova, it’s “really about friendship and change”.
Mostly taking place in and around bars and nightclubs, the new rom-com stars Taylor as Ruby, who is trying to get over a breakup with the help of her friends.
Durlik notes: “The four friends are all going through some sort of change of their own and staying a tight friendship group in the process.”
Tell us a little bit about the story and its inspiration…
I’m a big rom-com guy. My first film (The Naked Wanderer) is a rom-com and honestly, they are the films I enjoy watching the most (maybe apart from Lord of the Rings). I had heard a story from Jerry Seinfeld once describing how all it took was a phone call green-lighting his show and his life changed forever. So, I wanted to write something that conveyed that. We are always told that change and growth take time but sometimes something can happen in an instant that changes your life forever… which is what happens for Ruby in this film. Setting the film in London and making them all British was because that is what I grew up watching and the way I write lends itself to more of an international audience.
What did filming in Perth add to the project?
It was the best. Working with an entirely Perth crew on this film will be something I will never forget. Not many places in the world were filming at that point in time because of COVID so we were very lucky as we were basically unrestricted in what we could do… even partying in a nightclub. It was also a lot easier to turn Perth into London than we expected and the feedback we are getting from the audiences is that it looks great!
What was it like working with Eliza Taylor?
Eliza was fantastic to work with. I have been a fan of hers for a long time and watched The 100 religiously. Directing her was a dream because she knew the character and what type of film I was trying to make straight away. I knew she was a great actor but she really nailed the comedy in this film. Her comedic timing is impeccable. I can’t wait to work with her again.
What do you hope people take away from this film?
I really just want people to have a good time and a laugh while they are watching it. I would obviously like the audience to relate to the characters and perhaps see themselves in the characters we have created.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We recently screened the film as part of Cinefest Oz Official Selection where we sold out and It Only Takes a Night is out on VOD 20th September.
