My Dying Place (Coming Soon)
Patrick copes with his grief by living among birds.
After a long and full life, Patrick has found where he wants to see out the rest of his days.
In an odd and isolated town, Birdlings Flat, even there his home defies societal norms. Patrick has learnt to make do with what he has, living in his second-hand sanctuary, nurturing and caring for the flock of animals he’s saved. Grateful to be alive, he embraces life completely on his own terms among his feathered friends.
My Dying Place explores the journey to self acceptance, and the intertwining threads of life and death that binds us all. It asks the question, what happens to us after we die?
Reviews
“Not just the best short documentary I’ve seen, it’s also possibly my favourite New Zealand short ever... A perfectly calibrated documentary portrait of Patrick McNulty from Birdlings Flat on Banks Peninsula in Canterbury. Like all the greatest films, it starts as one thing - the world of a slightly eccentric, hoarding, animal sanctuary custodian - and morphs into a heartwarming story of tragedy, redemption and mental resilience. McNulty may be the nicest, kindest, wisest man in New Zealand, and you won’t regret spending twenty minutes in his company” - Dan Slevin, RNZ
“The most gorgeously grounding experience... it’s such a comforting but also confronting film” - Georgia, New Zealand
“That’s a serious piece of art… I love it. Impossible not to” - Arthur, New Zealand
“A beautiful film that moved me to tears and made me smile” - Emma, New Zealand
“I woke up on the middle of the night thinking about it” - Vanessa, New Zealand
“Very moving... a bit like seeing your life flash in front of you” - Kate, New Zealand
Director Statement
The motivation and making of this film I believe to be a film within itself. Patrick’s home magnetized me to the point where I found myself as a complete stranger, barging into his property simply to find out what story lay behind the broken fence covered in bicycles and art displays made from spoons.
As a first time director, it became clear that I wanted to showcase that beauty and joy can be found in everything, that we all have shared experiences of suffering, and that everyone, especially the hoarder on the corner of your road, has lessons to teach to us. This film is a gift to Patrick in honour of his life
and what he taught me.
Directed by Loren Jalyn Kett
Produced by Julie Gursha & Loren Jalyn Kett
Director of Photography Julian Vares
Original Score by Ivan Clayden
Editor Loren Jalyn Kett
Soundmix Jonny Pipe
Colourist Julian Vares
Story Consultants Slavko Martinov & Mike Kelland
Additional Sound Chris Cubitt
Music Engineer Ryan Chin
Cello Toby Pringle
Piano, Tin Whistle, Guitar Ivan Clayden
Titles and Typography Scott Bolton
