This is not a Memoir
An abrupt cancer diagnosis turns a young man’s life upside down.
Follow him on a meditative and surreal journey through treatment, his relationships, fears, motivations and confronting the future.
Synopsis
This is not a Memoir follows the story of Chris Ramsey, a young Australian man living in London. When he is suddenly diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer, he is forced onto a challenging new path.
From first appointments to breaking the news to loved ones, Chris’ own voice guides the narrative. His story is brought to life in a surreal animated world. Objects from his memory float by, strange lights glow in hospital corridors and medical apparatus murmurs along the periphery.
His journey is a winding road of treatments, surgeries, chemotherapy and the life Chris strives to live in spite of his diagnosis. An honest and unflinching reflection on balancing the moments of enthusiasm and hope with the bitter lows of medical setbacks and diminishing options.
This is not a Memoir is both a personal cancer journey and a familiar one that resonates with anyone affected by the disease.
Director’s bio
Josh Earle is a motion designer and film maker from Perth, Western Australia. His history within the film and animation world is varied. He began in 2013 as a compositor in various post production houses in London, moving on to work for Northhouse Creative creating visuals for live music performance. He relocated to Buenos Aires in 2018, working in motion graphics for broadcast and music videos.
Returning to Perth he continued working freelance focusing more on animation for documentary films, creating titles and animated sequences. He has made two documentary mini-series about his travel in Europe and South America. Blending documentary film with animation, Josh brings a unique storytelling point of view.
This is his first fully animated short film.
Composer’s bio
Benjamin Kelly-Brown is a composer, songwriter and producer whose work spans film, theatre, live performance and commercial media. He began composing in his early teens and has since developed a diverse and internationally informed musical career.
In his early twenties, Benjamin spent five years travelling internationally as a professional musician, collaborating with a wide range of artists and appearing on Chinese television. Alongside his performance career, he ran a recording studio for several years, supporting emerging and underrepresented artists through outreach projects and mentoring initiatives. His compositional portfolio includes original scores for theatre productions, music for promotional campaigns, and now film. He currently works with young people to nurture their creative development, combining his industry experience with a strong commitment to empowering the next generation of artists.
A film by Josh Earle
Narration by Chris Ramsey
Original score by Benjamin Kelly-Brown
Sound design and mixing by Max Barton