Ailis McAllan’s debut ATVA film, Memory Bruises, shows the talented young filmmaker is well-equipped to leave a lasting impression in AirTV’s legacy.
Speaking to Brig, Ailis discussed her dark, pensive film and how, despite her nerves, she’s mostly excited about premiering it at the 2025 ATVA’s.
“The film I’ve made is slightly different from what I know about the other ATVA submissions,” Ailis said. “So, I’m a little nervous about how it’s going to compare.
“Memory Bruises shows the effects of PTSD whilst trying to go about daily life. The film has a simple plot, but it’s less about the central event and more about living with the effects of the events afterwards.”
Ailis’s film is about domestic abuse. The protagonist, played by Ynra Williams, is plagued by flashbacks of a violent attack from her partner whilst trying to move on from the traumatising night. Tidying up, doing the washing, and even going for a smoke- each task is disturbed by memories of violence.
“From various discussions with my friends, I know domestic violence is a lot more common among a young age group- more common than people think”, Ailis explained. “I know a few people who have gone through something similar to the events in the film and feel like they can’t speak about it openly.
“I sat them down and asked if they thought I should or could make a film about it because I thought it was important to raise awareness that this is happening.
“And that’s how the idea for Memory Bruises happened.”
It’s a heavy topic for the ATVA’s, which is arguably the most celebrated and fun night in the AirTV calendar.
Ailis knew this, so she felt reservations about submitting this film for the ceremony. Previously, she had filmed a few light-hearted films with the society. This time, however, her gut feeling told her this was both an important film to make and the right film for the ATVA’s.
“I felt confident in the way I’d edited it and the sound design,” Ailis said. “The camera techniques, the Go-Pro- all of it felt really interesting technically. I knew it just had to go to the ATVA’s.
“This film was just me and my actor. We made it during the Christmas break, when everyone had left campus.’
Ailis continued: “The environment was important to me. Us being by ourselves worked because it was such a sensitive topic and we didn’t want any interruptions from passersby.
“Also, it helped the set feel small and intimate and that made it easier for us to feel comfortable filming the difficult scenes.”
A Streetcar Named Desire and The Outrun are just two of the inspirations for Ailis’s directorial debut, and their influence is absolutely felt.
It may be a little bold of me to compare her short film to these massive hits, but it is safe to say Memory Bruises is a jaw-droppingly fantastic film that is hopefully a sign of more amazing films to come.
Ailis’s ATVA debut is not to be missed.
Featured image credit: Ailis McAllan.