Max Hemmings

I met Jimmy Cliff in the reception of @triple_j studios when I was 7 years old. I was there to interview a DJ for a school assignment I was doing on ‘radio’. I remember my mum helped me turn the A3 binder the assignment was presented in into a radio with a cereal box glued to the front and a lot of tin foil. Anyway, we’re waiting in the reception, and a man appears looking like no one is ever seen, in a long coat and a sparkling hat embroidered with colourful beads, and a beaming smile. He asks me if I wanted to play pinball with him. It was Jimmy Cliff, waiting to go on Jaslyn Hall’s (incredible, influential) World Music Show. @jaslynworldwide So Jimmy and I played some pinnies on the machine they had in the reception. Then Jaslyn came out, I remember her rich voice as she called to Jimmy, but gently so as not to cut our game short rudely. He leaned down to me and said “I got to go now young man. It was nice to meet you.” And smiled that smile. What a legend. RIP Jimmy Cliff.

An excerpt from my song ‘Halla’, which is the Finnish word for frost. Directed by the brilliant Max Hemmings (@maximilliagram ), this film was made as part of the ‘Live at Phoenix’ series at @phoenixcentralpark , recorded on the morning of my solo show there. Link in my bio for the entire video on YouTube xxxx

@phoenixcentralpark “LIVE AT PHOENIX” feat. @sim_svob This one was a very hand-made labour of love. Taking inspiration from David Hockney’s photo-collages, we put that idea in motion, using it to express the warring elements of Simon’s song ‘Halla’. There’s this great tension between the jagged, almost violent cello playing, and then this reach for the sublime in his vocals… So I wanted to chop it up - chop HIM up - and have these warring forces alternatively break apart and come together. Plus, you know, cubism and cellos is a vibe. Full film in all its madness playing on Phoenix channel / link in bio! Directed by: 🙋‍♂️ Cinematographer: @jack_saltmiras 🎥 Edited by: 🙋‍♂️ and extra special work from @andreakillua 💥 Live At Phoenix producers: @joshmilch / Angus Hunt / Soie An 1st AC: @lukerodelyfilms Lighting Designer: @visitandre Makeup Artist: @lenny_irwin Recording Engineer: Michael Wickens @not.your.ol.mate Recording Assistant: Nathan Moas @land.systems Executive Producer: Judith Neilson AM @whitehotrabbit

New film for @phoenixcentralpark dropping today on their channels 🚀

#freepalestine 🇵🇸 I’m still not sure why a peaceful protest was halted and turned back in on itself when already 4/5ths of the way across the Sydney Harbour Bridge today. Shameful and sad. Not as shameful and sad as genocide and starving children. #freepalestine 🇵🇸#auspol

‘Studio In The Sky’ for Cathay Pacific via @nowness 🌏✨ Journeying through the streets of Hong Kong and his personal archives, architect-artist @jmyhui tours mind and memory against the city’s landscapes for a short documentary Studio in the Sky, directed by Max Hemming and created with Cathay Pacific. Just as Hui transforms fragments into cohesive narratives on the ground, his time in the air becomes an extension of this creative process with the launch of Cathay Pacific’s new inflight experience, the Aria Suite. Special big 💙 to the HK crew who really brought the extra game on this 👊 Director @maximilliagram Cinematographer @al_serafini Editor @tobyheard Original Music by @tommandrewss Sound Design & Mix by @_c_b_n_k_s_ Colourist @matuafilm Producer @mikolam Production Coordinator @vivvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv Production Manager @miaowrong 1st AC @waikinso 2nd AC @himng Gaffer @carterykwong Best Boy @timothychann , Lee Chi Tsz, Lee Chun Yee Art Director @ipsiu Art Team @waiyiiii_ HMU @heisanhung @kk.liiiiii NOWNESS Creative Director @bunnykinney Managing Director @humphries_gavin Commissioning Director @kitty_metcalfe Producer @en_oh_oh_are Project Director @florencereddington

Gena ❤️‍🔥

New film for @phoenixcentralpark Live at Phoenix Ep. 45: Hinano Fujisaki Sydney-based saxophonist and composer @hinafuji_ leads an ensemble made up of friends from Sydney’s vibrant jazz and creative music scene in a performance of “Okaerinasai”. Literally meaning “welcome home”, the piece takes inspiration from the warmth of a hearth, the nourishing taste of green tea, and the familiar scent of loved ones. While the combination of sax, piano, drums and bass is typical for a jazz ensemble, Fujisaki’s compositions are distinctive for their Japanese folk sensibility and circular structure built around a single looped melody sung in unison by the four musicians. Director Max Hemmings’ camera, meanwhile, seems to float among the musicians, hinting at apparition doubles of each band member, calling forth the Japanese notion of “Yōkai” (supernatural spirits). Joining Fujisaki is @laurentsamouras  (piano), bonniesongs (drums, percussion, voice and electronics) and @jacques.pze  (double bass). Fujisaki’s full EP "Home Is" is available for purchase on Bandcamp by People Sound, a label devoted to documenting a new wave of Australian creative music. Director: Max Hemmings @maximilliagram Producers: Angus Hunt @gushunt & Josh Milch @joshmilch Cinematographer: Jack Saltmiras @jack_saltmiras Motion Control Operator: Shane Parsons @shane.m.parsons 1st AC: Max Enright @cheeky_maxpresso_ Lighting Operator: Andre Vanderwert @visitandre Recording Engineer: Felix Abrahams Mix Engineer: Nathan Moas @land.systems Executive Producers: Judith Neilson & Beau Neilson @beauneilson 🙏 Beautiful music beautiful space beautiful people. Thanks to all involved 🙏

‘The Kicked Dog’ has been accepted into Hollywood Shorts Fest 23 🍿 Super excited for another US festival audience to see our little slice of cockney London 🇬🇧🍺 . . . . . . . . . . . #thekickeddog #shortfilm #hollywoodshortsfest #hollywood #filmfestival #filmdirector #director #independentfilm #film #filmmaker #filmmaking #cinema #cine #cinematography #setlife #visualcreators #visualsgang #movies #shortfilmfestival #indiefilm

Apichatpong Creators Lab 23: Over 12 days in Yucatán I was challenged and inspired, blowing up then reconstructing my filmmaking practice, gaining renewed vigour and purpose. I was mentored by one of my cinema idols, who I now call a mate. And I made new, lifelong friends... So overwhelming, and just so so good. Thank you Api for being open with us, Epi for being a force of nature, humour and light, and the whole gang for sharing this remarkable journey together 🙏 @playlabfilms . . . . . . . #playlab #filmmaking #film #director #shortfilm #apichatpongweerasethakul #apichatpong #indiefilm #independentfilm #35mm #filmisnotdead #fuji #fujiframez #cinema #creatorslab #yucatan #mexico #analog #peliculas #nowherediary

Off to Mexico to be mentored by one of my all-time cinema idols, Palme D'Or winning master Apichatpong Weeresethakul. When I saw 'Uncle Boonmee' in 2010 it transported me in a way no other movie ever has, literally slowing my mind and body down into a trance-like state, allowing his incredible tale to take hold in there. It's been a beacon and an aspiration ever since, and I wrote to him at the time telling him so. 13 years later and I've been accepted into this Creators Lab - a methodology started by Abbas Kiarostami, developed by Werner Herzog, and now taken further by Api - to learn from him and make a film under his tutelage in the Yucatán jungle. The world works in magical ways sometimes. @playlab_films . . . . . . . #playlab #creatorslab #apichatpong #apichatpongweerasethakul #abbaskiarostami #wernerherzog #filmmaking #filmmaker #cinema #independentfilm #shortfilm #palmedor #mexico #yucatan #director

Stills from a film for @dropbox taking us into the world of @yevuclothing , a socially responsible fashion house based between Ghana and Australia, and how Dropbox enables their transformative work 💗 Yevu is a socially responsible label, proudly made in Ghana. They believe in the transformative impact of economically empowered women. Since inception, YEVU’s aim has been to provide women in Ghana’s informal sector jobs, a better and more sustainable income, and ultimately, access to improved livelihoods for families and immediate communities. Big love to Anna @ Yevu for inviting me to share their story 🙏 Directed by 🙋‍♂️ Produced by the brilllllll @hattiebowering ⚡️ Shot by the teflon Don @sarf_bort 💃🏻💪 Additional photography by the immense @cozyshrt + @louis_english 🥊 Coloured by the magical @jaxharney ✨ Sound Design & Mix by eternal G @_c_b_n_k_s_ Edited by 🙋‍♂️ as well Much love and thanks to all 🙏 . . . . . . . . . . . #ghana #accra #fashion #fashionfilm #director #filmmaker #filmmaking #empowerment #sustainable #cinematography #commercial #advertising #yevu