SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
The Pharmacist
Daniel Shin | 2024 | 8m | Australia | Australian (Live-Action)
A pharmacist and his accomplice plan a botched robbery to clear the evidence of their accumulated Fentanyl patches when he gets notified by The Pharmacy Board.
Credits
Director, Writer & Producer
Daniel Shin
Cast
Sunny Walia
Matt Trubiani
Elli Duke
Interview with director Daniel Shin
1. What was one of the most challenging moments you faced while making The Pharmacist? Did this ‘setback’ change the direction of the final story?
The biggest challenge we've had, and how the whole project became greenlit straight after, was to find an actual, non-branded pharmacy to shoot in. Not only that, we've also had to obtain permission and the owner's blessing for us to shoot in. I'm lucky to be in a position where one of my closest mates, who's also a pharmacist, Kenneth, knows an acquaintance who currently owns that pharmacy, where he put in a good word for us.
2. What was the biggest inspiration behind The Pharmacist?
Various inspirations came to me over the years. The script is loosely based on the story of a Canadian pharmacist who planned a botched robbery with his accomplice overnight after pressure from his co-workers to report himself to The Pharmacy Board. I've also recently learnt that a couple of ex-pharmacists who I've worked with over the years have had their license suspended or cancelled from dealing with an excessive amount of scheduled prescription drugs. It was just something that all came at the right moment for me to tell this story.
3. What message do you want the audience to take away from The Pharmacist?
As a pharmacist myself, we are regarded as one of the most trusted health professionals. But unfortunately, there are some bad apples out there. And that you can't simply walk away from the rabbit hole you've dug yourself in.
Review
Written by Jack McKenzie
Flinders University Bachelor of Creative Industries (Film and Television) Student
The Pharmacist is a tense and engaging film that combines strong performances with clever use of sound to heighten its impact. The cinematography was striking, using shadows and framing to strongly emphasise the film’s dark tone. The music is extremely effective, underscoring the tension and keeping the pace sharp, while the sound design in the final moments is particularly memorable. The performances feel grounded and believable, pulling the viewer into the characters’ desperation without tipping into melodrama. What lingers most is the ethical dilemma at the heart of the film, prompting the audience to question the characters’ choices and form their own judgements on a morally complex situation.