Thirteen & Co director Armand de Saint-Salvy captures worldwide attention with more than 2.5 million views of beautiful film about #equallove
A viral movie, created in Australia, has captured the hearts and minds of the LGBTQIA+ community and wider with an important message about ‘equal love’ and marriage equality, brilliantly portrayed in an ‘everyday’ setting, amplifying the important message in a simple way.
Equal Love is a controversial topic at the moment. Should all Australians, regardless of their gender and sexuality, be allowed to marry? Thirteen & Company director Armand de Saint-Salvy certainly thinks so.
His latest film explores the theme of ‘free choice’ using a simple “very Australian” metaphor – BBQ or Tomato Sauce? In a country where marriage equality is STILL not legal, the idea of capturing such an important message in a very familiar setting has triggered an incredible reaction and outpouring with more than 2.5 million people watching the video in 4 days.
Written, directed and edited by Saint-Salvy, this emotive film has already been adopted by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. The film was released on its FB page and has quickly gathered momentum, with people appreciating and relating to the message.
Says Saint-Salvy: “In the lead up to Mardi Gras, we thought there was a great opportunity to contribute to the chorus of voices calling for equality. We wanted to make a film that speaks to everyday Australians. A spot that would entertain them, but is laced with a clear social conscious subtext.”
Says Roy De Giorgio. EP, Thirteen and Co (//13&CO): “We wanted the film to feel real to contrast the absurdism of the idea. Armand crafted natural performances and shot voyeuristically to enhance this sense of peering into reality”.
Says a spokesman for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras: “Mardi Gras this year is about creating life quality and happiness, not just sexual or marriage equality, but for everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual identity. Armand’s film really embodies that spirit, and we felt compelled to support it.”
To see more of Saint-Salvy’s work, click here.
To visit Thirteen and Co’s website, click here.
Writer/Director/Editor: Armand de Saint-Salvy
Production Company: Thirteen and Co
Producers: Roy De Giorgio & Charity Downing
Cinematography: Frank Flick
Camera Equipment: Cinoptix
1st AC: Charlie Whitaker
Gaffer: Jay MacNeill
Production Design: Elisa Baker
Sound: Mario Pellegrino
Runner: Davey Woodhouse
Casting Director: Joseph Wijangco
Sound Post: Uncanny Valley
Dad: Patrick Wilson
Son: Matthew Hardie
Mother: Di Adams
Nana: Lynne Porteous
Sister: Matilda Ridgway
Friend: Dorje Swallow
9 Comments
Everything about this is great. Casting, acting, simple story, all of it spot on. And I genuinely cracked up at the end. Good job.
Great writing and brilliant acting.
Wonderfully done.
There’s been a lot of excellent work around Mardi Gras this year.
Good script, with the right touch and sensitivity. Well done.
But I reckon the people who have a problem with this will argue it’s not just a little thing.
Good angle, but preaching to the choir.
Funny, clever, great! Well done.
Nice Armand!
Tomato sauce doesn’t make you better at choosing dance tunes.
Tomato sauce doesn’t make you a snappier dresser.
Tomato sauce doesn’t make you infinitely better at interior design.
Tomato sauce doesn’t make all the really attractive girls want to hang out with you.
Tomato sauce doesn’t make you eat healthier or look after your appearance.
Tomato sauce doesn’t somehow lead to an appreciation of art and musical theater.
So no, it’s not the same.
Nice analogy though.
Great script but no craft in this. Carried by the talent of the actors and the idea, chosen specifically to get clicks. You won’t get this sort of cut through for fast food or soft drink, or any actual commercial work.
Again, same result with any director, with this combo of idea/actors.