Christian Byers, known for TV series like “Friday On My Mind,
” embarked on a unique film project that led him down an unexpected path. Spending eight years at A. O’Hare Funeral Directors in Sydney between acting gigs, Byers found himself not just in front of the camera but behind the scenes, taking on tasks usually reserved for funeral home staff.
“
It felt like I was part of the team anyway so they formalised it,” Byers shared.
“They gave me the suit I wear in character in the film. It was a real handshake – ‘you’re part of the family so don’t screw us’.”
What began as a documentary about traditional Italian funeral practices gradually transformed into a docudrama titled Death of an Undertaker. In this film, Byers portrays Sparrow, a young mortician whose emotional resilience crumbles under the weight of constant exposure to death.
The narrative unfolds with an experimental quality, featuring real-life morticians from A. O’Hare Funeral Directors alongside Byers. The genesis of this project traces back to Byers’ childhood days as an actor and his curious glimpses into the workings of the funeral parlour while walking along Norton Street after school.
“For a 13-, 14-year-old, it was a pretty wild thing,”
Byers reminisced about those early impressions of witnessing morticians at work amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
As fate would have it, Byers crossed paths with Michele Salamone from A. O’Hare Funeral Directors at a cafe, sparking the idea for what would become his passion project. Inspired by Salamone’s demeanor and professionalism, Byers envisioned capturing the dignity and significance of Italian funeral rites on camera.
Undertaking multiple roles in production – from writing and directing to acting and editing – proved to be a monumental challenge for Byers. Recounting his arduous journey, he reflected on moments when setbacks during filming tested his resolve amidst personal struggles.
“It’s not a chill thing to make a feature film in a funeral home… let alone for six years, seven years, eight years by the end of it,”
admitted Byers candidly about the grueling process.
Amidst personal trials including financial strains post-pandemic and emotional upheavals, making Death of an Undertaker became both an artistic endeavor and a test of endurance for Byers.
“This film… became this ultimate liability,” remarked Byer about how unforeseen circumstances turned his creative outlet into an overwhelming burden at times.
Despite its somber theme, Death of an Undertaker promises intriguing elements that defy expectations. At its premiere during Sydney Film Festival next Friday…
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