Path of No Return - A feature film

A fully improvised feature film, created by a son and his father, shot in just three hours, and edited in one week.
Path of No Return tells the story of an estranged father and son. In an attempt to reconnect, the two go on walk into the bush, but is it enough to mend their fractured relationship?
Shot for the @Joel-Haver ‘Make a movie instead of watching the Oscars’ challenge.
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A film by Eadan McGuinness
CAST:
Eadan McGuinness
Justin McGuinness
Lauren McGuinness
Producer - Lauren McGuinness
Assistant Director - Justin McGuinness
Audio Recordist - Leah McKeown
Audio Mixer - Justin McGuinness
Director of Photography - Jake Cooper
Camera Operators - Jake Cooper and Ezra Radke
Production Assistants - Isaac Horsfall and Jackson West
Editors - Eadan and Justin McGuinness
Original Music by @DoctorOscillatorMusic
Featuring ‘Meet Me At the Merry-Go-Round’ by @Laversofficial
Special Thanks:
Joel Haver, University of South Australia, Sean Riley, and the extended McGuinness family
Filmed on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Dedicated to Ralph McGuinness, a much-loved father and grandfather.

[@Littlefirefilm]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for checking out this movie. I've never been so proud of something in my life. I can't even describe how much this movie means to me. If you give it a watch please leave a comment and let me know what you think, and if you have Letterboxd, jump on over there and give it a review! Here's a link - letterboxd.com/film/path-of-no-return/ Thankyou so much everyone!

[@TheLastSongbird124]

If you can do that in 3 hours, imagine what you're gonna do with the rest of your life :) Bloody brilliant, you have my respect :)

[@VanVuurenBros]

Eaden, this is INCREDIBLE man!! You’re so talented. And clearly such a hard working lad. This is really great storytelling, perfect coverage, and INSANELY good acting. Please keep this up, keep making stuff, because our industry needs your talent. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the future. This is so bloody good!!

[@Ethan_Stephens]

Really well done! You and your father gave incredible performances. Very few people are doing what you’re doing at your age. Congratulations!

[@EllaCortazzo-gd2dq]

This is amazing, your dad breathes heavy A LOT. but it was such an effective film and helped me survive the bus ride home

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you for watching! Happy to be of help 😂

[@tobyainscough]

The biggest compliment I can give you is that this film in no way looks, feels or sounds like it was made in 3 hours. You and your dad not only made a wonderful piece of art together but something that was real to a lot of people. Keep going and keep making stuff mate you will go far.

[@The5DollarFilmSchool]

Ive only caught a few minutes of this so far but this is instantly one of my favorites of the 4 years of oscar films. Properly recorded audio that sounds impeccable and amazing cinematography!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Dan, thank you so much! I’m so proud of what we managed to pull off with this movie. You were such a huge inspiration. If you get a chance to finish it please let me know what you think!

[@The5DollarFilmSchool]

@@Littlefirefilm definitely finishing it once i get thhrough my edits me and joel dik were talking about how cool your movie was

[@liambaldwin3614]

Rewatching bits of this because its just so good. Congrats on making such a great emotional work!

[@Littlefirefilm]

That is so mind blowing to me Liam 😆 Thank you so much

[@codyclarke]

Congrats mate! You're so far beyond where I was at 15 as a filmmaker.

[@RightAboutRichTV]

Finally a film depicting someone that actually feels real, like its me in there. The moments of pauses, the reminiscences, the holding back, the silences while thinking, the dry uncolored rebellion, and the last crack of painful emotion. 🥹

[@Littlefirefilm]

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words. We were definitely going for that feeling, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@failedfilmmaker]

Great performances, and beautiful cinematography, be proud of this for sure. Can't wait to see more!

[@jeffbusch3591]

Great film, great topic, great acting! This resonated so well with me as a kid growing up, you captured the essence and emotion so well through the dialogue and gestures. The reconciliation was so powerful and inspirational for me, had me crying and hopeful for these broken father-son relationships that get off track, trying to get back to what really matters in the end... Loved it! Keep up the great work!👍😊

[@champalaunepatrice8202]

Excellent film. Vous avez un grand talent. C'est de l'émotion pure. Continuez sur cette voie

[@jenniferbauman]

This makes me wish I could have one last candid conversation and a stroll with my dad... Beautiful Australian scenery and great actors (I love the Rage scene!) ❤️ I'm extremely glad that you have so much support, Eadan.

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much for watching Jennifer!

[@ZaidAftab]

Eaden, this is amazing. I am half way through it and I absolutely adore the cinematography. You did a brilliant job Directing this! Also both you and your dad give really good performances!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much! I’m so happy with how it all turned out

[@jessereyes01]

You and your father play off each other so well. Just a wonderful little film that warms my heart. Really great work Eadan!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much!

[@AfferbeckBeats]

What a great film, and done in only 3 hours! The realism, rawness, and landscape makes this feel like something out of Mr Inbetween, without the crime (though who knows what deals the Dad might have made?). Something you really captured is the feeling of tension and looking for an escape into small talk when avoiding talking about the real issues. And the explosion of emotion when the words finally come tumbling out. To have such a grasp of filmmaking and the human condition at such a young age is incredible, and I have no doubt you'll continue to create special things.

[@notsteve1313]

This is a great made during the oscars film! Cinematography is a particular highlight!

[@brianelliott577]

Such raw emotion ! Brilliant acting. I was crying at the end. Very moving, it should win awards !!!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much!

[@Jp-ml8dm]

This was a great film and big props to you and your crew. It was so real and I am sure that many parents and teenagers are going through the exact same situation. No parent is perfect and the feelings that teenagers go through are very real. Adults sometimes forget that teenagers reality is just as real as adults worrying about the mortgage payment, putting food on the table etc. Everyone needs attention now and then. To be recognized and to have your feelings validated regardless if your 15 or 55. The ending was fantastic. They both recognized each other is hurting and now some healing can begin. Major props on this well made and great acting movie. One of the best I have seen in a good while. Thx so much for sharing this with the world.

[@TwistVisuals]

Absolutely phenomenal! Loved it! Loved the performance of the father character. Loved the subtle acting of the kid. Really carried the whole way through and the dad character was really entertaining to watch. With a minimal storyline and concept, it was still really captivating all the way through. It is sort of a melodrama but it was done without going overboard with how Hollywood films pull at your heart strings with sad and sappy music, and sweeping camera moves. Here, due to the simple shots, the characters and emotions have the ability to breathe through on their own, which is awesome. That is the subtlety I love. Amazing cinematography and editing. Couldn't believe this was made in literally 3 hours. If it was me, it'll likely take a whole day or 2 to get this type of sequence that is 40 minutes long. Insane! Really looking forward to your next work! Keep it up! Also saw that you followed me on Instagram. Haven't been able to check out others' works much since I was busy with my own projects and personal life. But now I'm seeing some interesting projects popping up. Would be keeping an eye once again in this movement!

[@tiredthing8058]

this is amazing dude, and so insanely relatable i’ve had many walks exactly like this, I feel like you’ve captured the emotions so well and the acting is really well done. I wish you the very best in all your films and projects!!!! you’re going to do awesome things!!

[@obelusfilms]

Special film…. This is one that will age like a fine wine. It feels so intimate I almost feel like I shouldn’t be here! Great stuff can’t wait to see what you do next

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much for giving it a watch!

[@indiefilmmovies]

Powerful performances! You have a very talented family! This should make them proud, well done Eadan!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much for watching

[@joeTo9988]

Great movie, great acting and powerful message! Keep up the good work!

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you for watching!

[@WoodstockRoadshow]

Proud Australian moment 🥹

[@CollateralYiros]

Eadan this is wonderfull -Massimo

[@philipdan202]

WoW. That was just awesome, and very heart felt. Great job McGuinness's.

[@NathanLathroum]

Ate a delicious hamburger while watching this. Wish it was a meat smoothie instead. (Mild spoilers below. Watch the movie first, folks!) Cinematography was phenomenal. And that line around the midpoint -- "Your bad dream has been my entire fucking life." -- WOW! That whole sequence was intense, but that line was killer. And the father's breakdown was incredible. So many of these sequences would fit perfectly into a monologue read or character study. The emotion throughout is so raw and genuine; I definitely don't watch many dramas or emotional films, and even for me, this one kept me fully engaged for its entire runtime. You really made something impactful here. On a technical note, I'm super curious to know how you recorded your sound. "Shit just slipped through my fingers, and I couldn't even see it." -- WOW! Another amazing line. I have no idea how many of these lines were written out ahead of time, if any, but some of these are genuinely better than a lot of what I'm seeing and hearing in 'serious' student films now. "I feel like every decision I make ends up being the wrong one." -- wow. Now THAT'S a universally relatable line if I've ever heard one. (And the soft delivery really gives it that extra punch.) And the continuous callbacks to the field -- masterful work. I may be sitting in my apartment alone watching this film, but I genuinely applauded when they hugged. Long shot at the end -- paired with that music? Beautiful. Amazing film! If this was done in just three hours, I'm infinitely curious to see the stuff you create with even more time. Well done.

[@ExtraChunkyComedy]

Wow this is really a beautiful movie. Well done.

[@vitrock1]

Such a bittersweet beautiful powerful film! The acting was phenomenal! Would love to see a sequel! ❤

[@alfredkowsky7374]

Thanks for sharing this movie that so many of us can relate to 🤩. More often than not, it's impossible to repair the damage to a relationship, however, that's no excuse for totally abandoning that relationship 😉.

[@jpmasters-aus]

I have watched many father and teen-son shows; they are scripted, professionally filmed, and edited. I have no idea who you are, and I'm not sure who is who. My son did improv in senior high (it was good for him, but he played a team support role), so I have seen the challenges with improv. The only thing I recognised was the Adelaide Hills. May I say that your 41-minute film, shot in 3 hours and edited in one week, is far more professional than many of this genre I have seen. Congratulations to all involved, and I hope this is the start of something even bigger.

[@LozMcG]

Congratulations, so proud of you 😊

[@robertc1433]

Nice Movie

[@Sunshine_Studios2004]

This was so great mate! Good stuff!

[@gossimer3]

I can't feel sorry for his old man, you reap what you sow. I feel sorry for his son, though. Great film! 👍

[@scottletton2648]

Great work Eden. I thought the movie was going to take a twist there for a moment at the cliff scene.😬 Futures looking bright. Look forward to seeing where the journey takes you.

[@vpkraeved]

Замечательно. Увидел этот фильм случайно и не смог оторваться. Отличное операторское решение, хороший сценарий с завязкой, развитием, кульминацией и развязкой. Тема "Отцы и дети" актуальна всегда. Если подойти критично, то, к сожалению, пейзаж оказался вне диалога, он лишь иллюстрация к прошлой жизни и не участвует в нынешних блужданиях героев.

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you for checking it out, I’m so glad you connected with it!

[@vpkraeved]

​@@Littlefirefilmпожелание на будущее: старайтесь, чтобы пейзаж был включен в диалог, а не был просто красивым фоном. Буду ждать новых творений.

[@DiffeRantJeff]

Beautiful! Great stuff. What did you use to film?

[@Littlefirefilm]

Thank you so much. Sony Fx6, very fortunate we had access to them 😁

[@c.miller2084]

Wonderful peice of how it is in the real world, the emotion, the feeling of despair of losing yourself & the coming together of different generations to end in the best possible outcome that so much was missed in the year that it comes to this point that has taken so,so long. In the end that's what life is about, feelings & emotions. Not all this other crap people think or want. It's about Us, people. That's what is Most Important.....UC

[@lovingscarboroughvideos4388]

Brilliant film

[@philmcguinness8583]

Compelling

[@peterpumkineater6872]

I cried tooo

[@55post]

WOW.