Unidentifed White Male

Written and Directed by Aeddan Cox

Resolution: 4096 × 2160

Runtime: 8:31

Aspect Ratio: 2.00 : 1

Genre: Drama

Logline

A repressed high schooler grapples with his masculinity & identity in the face of rejection from his unrequited love.

SYNOPSIS

Jake, an emasculated, repressed high schooler, seeks the affection and possession of Chloe, his fellow classmate, unaware of his infatuation. He consumes pickup artist seduction tutorials, stalks her social media profiles, and fantasises about being with her. Jake's mother, Dee, tries to connect with her son but is met with increasing aggression and dismissiveness. Jake's idealisation of Chloe is shattered, however, in the face of her display of affection and intimacy towards other male students. Attempting to win Chloe over, Jake stakes her out after class and confesses his feelings to her. However, when Chloe rejects his advances, Jake lashes out at her, attempting to dominate her but is reprimanded by a teacher. Suspended, Jake affirms his behaviour as justified when confronted by his mother, claiming himself the victim of a misandrist society, before ultimately blaming her when she rebukes him.

Film Trailer

Director's Statement

Unidentified White Male is an examination of 'Nice Guy Syndrome,' inceldom, and toxic masculinity within teenage boys.

Specifically, I wanted to explore the ways online self-help gurus and right-wing demagogues foster toxic masculinity within teenage boys, exploiting feelings of anxiety, jealousy and loneliness, by providing a scapegoat and solution to their insecurities and failings.

Through the lens of a repressed high school boy, these ideas are examined in his attempts to grapple with his masculinity and identity in the face of rejection from his unrequited love.

The project captures the desperation, isolation, and pitifulness inherent in his quest, through the conflicting lens of Jake's entitled perspective, and stark objectivity. Ultimately, UWM is a character study of a spiralling psyche—a car crash of the ego—that you can't help but watch burn to the ground.

The Director

Aeddan Cox is a multi-disciplinary creative, writer/director and radio producer from Sydney’s West. During their time studying their Bachelor of Media Arts and Production at UTS, they have worked as a writer/ director and cinematographer on short films and documentaries. Currently, they are producing Unfurl, FBI Radio’s resident ambient music show, spotlighting experimental musicians through mixes and artist interviews.

Email

aeddancox00@gmail.com

Meet the Crew

Production Designer

Tayla Casey

Tayla Casey is a versatile, details-orientated production designer, emerging in the Sydney scene with a keen talent for imbuing real-world authenticity into her craft. With a deep understanding of the creative vision of whatever project she is working on, her immersive world-building elevates the visual storytelling of any project she’s on.

Editor/ Colorist

Caroline Jun

Caroline Jin is an emerging force within Sydney’s film scene as a rising editor. With a a meticulous eye for detail, her controlled editing techniques extracts the visceral emotions of every cut. Her vibrant work as a colourists makes any shot she’s working on dazzle.

Director of Photography

Ian Tamawidjaja

Ian Tamawidjaja is an emerging, Sydney-based cinematographer. Graduating with a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production from the University of Technology, Sydney, he has honed his craft for compelling, and visually arresting compositions. In whatever project he is involved in, he brings a distinctive visual flair which realises the full potential of a project from script to screen.

Meet the Crew

Producer/ 1st AD

Danny Nguyen

Danny is a managerial masterclass as a producer. His expertise in budgeting, scheduling, and team coordination ensures smooth and efficient productions. His meticulous organisational skills and his ability to faciliate a harmonious and colloborative working environment makes an asset in any production.

Composer

Francisco Sonur

Originally from Argentina, Francisco is a Sydney-based producer, musician and composer experimenting across a sonic blend of ambient and post-rock sounds. He has released Seven full-length album, including his 2023 release "Then the light comes all over the land" on Mahorka Records.

Behind the Scenes

Meet the Cast

Jake

Lem Appel

Graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Lem is an accomplished actor, who has worked across theatre and screen. His credits include Jeff in The Fear Inside, Aron in Before Black Virus, Claude in Claude and Claudia, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Stan/Waiter in Two.

Dee

Bethany Williamson

Graduate of Screenwise Film & TV School, Bethany Williamson is a rising Sydney actor. She has amassed an accomplished showreel with Screenwise.

Chloe

Alysa Peters

Alyssa Peter’s is a rising Sydney-based actor, performing across theatre and screen. Her credits include Fatima in House of Gods, featured actor in NIDA Theatre Productions, and Girlfriend in KFC's ‘Pull the Plug’.

Meet the Cast

The Pickup Artist

Hassan Elkawam

Starting in Theatre, Hassan has expanded his breadth of accomplished performances onto the screen. He has been featured on ABC, BBC and SBS films/shows on National Television. His credits include House of Gods.

Mr. Davy

Wolfgang Harrison

Studying under Kevin Jackson at Sydney Acting Studio, Wolfgang is an emerging actor within the Sydney scene. He has been involved in theatre, including performance in CHESS Choir and roles as Barry Belson and Ralph Knuckles in Jersey Boys.

Credits

Cast

Jake Lem Appel

Dee Bethany Williamson

Chloe Alyssa Peters

Mr. Davy Wolfgang Harrison

The Pickup Artist Hassan Elkawam

Student Zachary Sawaqed

Crew

Writer/Director/Producer Aeddan Cox

Producer Danny Nguyen

Assistant Director Danny Nguyen

Director of Photography Ian Tamawidjaja

Assistant Camera Indy Jo

Lyndon McPherson

Marty Korn

Gaffer Barney Allen

Hiruni Dharmasena

Will Bush

Production Designer Tayla Casey

Editor/ Colourist Caroline Jin

Composer Francisco Sonur

Sound Recordist Abel Grises