13CO director Paul Nevison’s new short film ‘In Absence’ sees breakthrough star Christopher James Baker shine in emotionally charged role

The latest directorial venture by 13CO’s Paul Nevison, ‘In Absence‘ sees Ozark-famed actor Christopher James Baker take on the role of an anguished father, paralysed by the grief of his wife’s sudden death and failing as a parent.

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.

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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.

Says Baker: “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.

“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.

Says Nevison: “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.”

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.”

‘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.

Says De Giorgio: “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.”

The film will spend the upcoming months on the festival circuit while Nevison works on developing the script into a full-length feature film.

Paul Nevison is represented in Australia by 13CO.

To see more of his work, click here.

For all enquiries, contact Charity Downing at charity@13co.io or Roy De Giorgio at roy@13co.io