"MONTSERRAT" Wraps Production

First look at James Cunningham's short film MONTSERRAT, a hauntingly beautiful portrait of isolation.

Wilson Bazurto in short film MONTSERRAT © Presidential Productions

Production has officially wrapped on MONTSERRAT, the latest short film from award-winning Australian director James Cunningham, and a lengthy post-production is now underway. Filmed on location at a vast, empty waterfront mansion on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the one-day shoot marked the completion of a highly personal, performance-driven work that promises to be both visually striking and emotionally resonant.

Starring Ecuadorian actor and model Wilson Bazurto in the lead role, MONTSERRAT explores the quiet, often invisible psychological toll of loneliness. At its core, the film is a character study of a tradesman whose life has slowed to a crawl — his calloused hands, once symbols of pride and identity, now idle in a world that has seemingly outgrown him. Told through poetic monologue and subtle physical storytelling, the film examines the drift of time, the ache of redundancy, and the craving to be truly seen.

Wilson Bazurto in short film MONTSERRAT © Presidential Productions

The mansion setting — cavernous, modern, and lifeless — mirrors the protagonist’s internal void. Once a place meant to be filled with warmth, family, and purpose, the house stands silent, with only echoes and shadows for company. Cunningham notes that the location was chosen not just for its aesthetics, but for how it “mirrored the vastness of Montserrat’s isolation — a place that should feel like success but instead feels like failure.”

With a micro-crew working intimately on set, the production focused almost exclusively on performance and presence. The majority of the shoot revolved around Bazurto and Cunningham, stripping the process down to its most essential elements. The director recalling the atmosphere as “emotionally charged” and “unflinchingly honest.”

Wilson Bazurto in short film MONTSERRAT © Presidential Productions

Notably, Bazurto’s role called for a scene of extreme vulnerability. Initially hesitant, he worked closely with Cunningham to explore the character's emotional and also physical exposure, eventually delivering a powerful, nuanced performance that transcends the moment's surface boldness. "It wasn’t about shock or provocation," Cunningham shared, “but about revealing how deeply raw and unprotected this man feels, even in his own skin.”

The film's mood is further amplified with original music from composer Christopher Galovan, known for his work blending acoustic intimacy with emotional sweep. His compositions for MONTSERRAT are expected to underscore the sense of drifting time, emotional stasis, and distant hope that define the character’s journey.

Wilson Bazurto in short film MONTSERRAT © Presidential Productions

Now moving into post-production, MONTSERRAT is being readied for a 2025 international film festival run. The film adds to Cunningham’s growing body of work that centers marginalised voices and introspective masculinity, blending cinematic minimalism with raw, internal storytelling.

As audiences await its premiere, MONTSERRAT positions itself as a reminder of what cinema can do with just one person, one space, and a story that cuts to the core of what it means to be forgotten by the world — and by yourself.

For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and screening announcements, visit Presidential Productions.