“Rocket Fuel” by Jessie Posthumus

“Rocket Fuel” follows three siblings in the middle of a small town on a hot July day as they clean up the morning after a party hosted by their distant parents. They pile their loot of beer bottles and tallboys in an old wagon nicknamed “The Rocket”, and set off to cash in their empties for ice cream. Nora, the oldest at 12, tries to guide her siblings on the smartest path to victory when they discover their regular route is compromised. On their journey they encounter a number of obstacles that eventually leave them without their empties - and their only source of cash. Ultimately, they pool together what little money they have to avoid going home any sooner than they have to.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

“Growing up, my brothers and sisters were a crucial part of my filmmaking. We would spend summers creating westerns in the alleyway beside our house, or horror movies in our treehouse. They were not only my best friends, but my greatest collaborators. The essence of filmmaking for me has always been linked to those summers, and with Rocket Fuel, I was able to tell a story that pulls back the layers of complicated sibling dynamics. I wanted to use the film to highlight the pressures that come with being the oldest sister in a struggling family. On a technical level, we tried to create a perspective that tied the weight of these pressures with the curiosity and freedom of a child’s point of view.

Our film tells the story of three kids on one hot summer day who don’t want to go home. It’s clear that their life isn’t easy - but as difficult as things may seem, we hope they’ll make it through if they stick together.”

-Jessie Posthumus

CREDITS

Starring: Abbey Jean Cowan, Luxton Handspiker, Antonina Battrick

Written and Directed by @jessiekposthumus

Producer/ @quansarah

Co-Produced/ @jephchoo

EP’s/ @nick.ewart @quansarah @jessieposthumus

Director of Photography/ @heyyoumenwong

Editor/ @aziedenberg

Production Designer/ @_melwright_

Score/ @kyle_mccrea_

Sound Designer/ @okayitsdrew

Sound recordist/ @amandaamwong

Made in association with @archipelagoproductions

Casting/ @k4liopi

Costumes/ @ana.popova @shop.oddthing

Hair and Make-Up/ @nehnikamua

Colourist/ @erikbayley

Mix/ @sebastianquinnhoodless

1st AD/ @joe_craib

Script Supervisor/ @kristenmacculloch

Production Coordinator/ @delaneynovinka

1st AC/ @aeijri

2nd AC/ @elena_pupupu

Key Grip/ @mattmacaskill

Swing/ @renmichael1

Stills/ @jesse.marcelo.sarkis

Boom Op/ @yango.bongo

PAs/ @areoooola @kelzell + Jennifer Alana Nicole

Assistant Editor/ @corinnegwood


Send Us Your Films

Hey filmmakers! Have a project of your own you’d like us to check out?


Previous
Previous

“Death & Ramen” by Tiger Ji

Next
Next

“Rest Stop” by Noah Sellman