What an extraordinary film – part autobiography, part "last man on earth." Who wouldn't want their last recorded video to be in part a tribute to their life? The premise that power & internet continue to function post-apocalypse makes for so many interesting possibilities film-wise. Perth was a great choice of location - it had never occurred to me Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world. And selecting a brush-cutter as weapon of choice was brilliant. The zombie hordes were plausibly carried out – clearly a nod to the 1948 film The Boy with Green Hair. Possibly also paying homage to Rhinoceros (1974) based on the Eugene Ionesco play. The only disappointment for me was the ending - could have been happy, could have been sad, could have been heroic, could have been tragic - but I guess the money simply ran out. Hard to believe the budget was only $10k. What could they do with more cash??
9 Reviews
It all ties together nicely at the end!
juddyparis21 January 2010
The movie starts with Australia in the midst of a viral outbreak, one man is left alive to contemplate how his life has ended it the predicament he's in. But the life he contemplates is not one of family, missed opportunities and long lost loves but of how it came that he is making this movie and the reasons behind it.
Lots of one liners, some may be lost on those that don't have a mind that enjoys being led down unfamiliar paths but for those that do this movie is well worth the effort to sit through, just like the days of Mr Kobiashi the end sums it all up nicely.
Do yourself a favour and watch a movie that was done on a shoestring and support your up and coming directors Cheers Jp
Lots of one liners, some may be lost on those that don't have a mind that enjoys being led down unfamiliar paths but for those that do this movie is well worth the effort to sit through, just like the days of Mr Kobiashi the end sums it all up nicely.
Do yourself a favour and watch a movie that was done on a shoestring and support your up and coming directors Cheers Jp
Unexpected Gem
giselle_laramee1 April 2010
This movie was hilarious! I went to this movie solely to support the writer and had no idea what to expect. I was expecting a cheesy, low-budget zombie movie (yuck!), and instead spent the entire time laughing my head off.
Great movie which was, refreshingly, different and really really bizarre. What a treat to watch a movie that was done locally and on a (very) small budget and still deliver high-quality entertainment. What a coup to gather so many extras together without big salaries!
I'm expecting this to join the ranks of the cult classic. well done Bish.
Great movie which was, refreshingly, different and really really bizarre. What a treat to watch a movie that was done locally and on a (very) small budget and still deliver high-quality entertainment. What a coup to gather so many extras together without big salaries!
I'm expecting this to join the ranks of the cult classic. well done Bish.
not the "CASE"
gonzokiller1 April 2010
Dave Bishop is a first time film maker from Perth Western Australia who made this brilliant amateur film.
When people coin the word amateur they assume bad, this is definitely not the case. Dave Bishop who came second from "Project Greenlight Australia" for his screenplay "Case" has released a film that brings tears of laughter to an audience.
When going in to watch the movie knowing whats it about, it reminds you not to take special effects, make up, sound and gore too seriously. Just sit back shut up and trust this film maker to give you a joy ride of laughter that will not disappoint. If you as an audience member going in expecting Hollywood quality, disappointment you will get. As a first time film maker Dave Bishop really delivers a film that shows us what a good time really is about..
"I Am Bish" is a film about A post apocalyptic comedy with zombies set in the city of Perth Western Australia. The Character "Bish" ( Played by Dave Bishop ) shows us a very comedic way of what you would do if you were the last man on earth. Well we assume he is the last man on Earth ( Zombies excluded ) until we come across the Funny, Beautiful and talented female roles performed by Siobhan Dow-Hall and Tahnee Arlt.
Without spoiling anymore of the film I conclude with saying "I Am Bish" is a film that I will always remember for it's charm, crude sense of humor and it's great story that leaves you laughing and wanting more from the film maker. WATCH IT!
When people coin the word amateur they assume bad, this is definitely not the case. Dave Bishop who came second from "Project Greenlight Australia" for his screenplay "Case" has released a film that brings tears of laughter to an audience.
When going in to watch the movie knowing whats it about, it reminds you not to take special effects, make up, sound and gore too seriously. Just sit back shut up and trust this film maker to give you a joy ride of laughter that will not disappoint. If you as an audience member going in expecting Hollywood quality, disappointment you will get. As a first time film maker Dave Bishop really delivers a film that shows us what a good time really is about..
"I Am Bish" is a film about A post apocalyptic comedy with zombies set in the city of Perth Western Australia. The Character "Bish" ( Played by Dave Bishop ) shows us a very comedic way of what you would do if you were the last man on earth. Well we assume he is the last man on Earth ( Zombies excluded ) until we come across the Funny, Beautiful and talented female roles performed by Siobhan Dow-Hall and Tahnee Arlt.
Without spoiling anymore of the film I conclude with saying "I Am Bish" is a film that I will always remember for it's charm, crude sense of humor and it's great story that leaves you laughing and wanting more from the film maker. WATCH IT!
I Was Impreshed
chris-701-702981 April 2010
Low budget, low morals and definitely low-brow. I loved every minute, especially the minutes of confusion.
"I am Bish" tricks you into liking it despite and perhaps because of it's audacity and perfection in calling itself a movie. Director Bish is even likable as a character in a movie he makes. The film nods to Quentin Tarantino's own love of time shifting and self awareness in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. For the MTV generation and beyond who have short attention spans due to growing up on Sesame Street, music videos and game consoles, the jumpy narrative jumping between scenes means you don't really get to relax. As would happen at the end of the world. Or watching a guy making a student film suddenly have to explain the end of the world. While making a student film.
The support characters, of which there aren't too many, give great performances. Bish's love interest Sarah is perfect as the arty hot chick that's good looking yet awkward and lovable. Kinda like a real life version of The Fifth Element - being imperfect is her perfection. I thought it was a shame she wasn't in more of the film. Well, there's a lot I thought while watching (including: What am i watching? and 'I love this guy!'). At one point I was having too much fun to realise this was billed as a zombie film. LOL? I hurt my sides.
At the turn of the decade, we now see movies made to look low budget that simply aren't. In world where low budget means a few million bucks, it's good to see something enjoyable and 'old school'.
I am Bish washes over you and gives you that happy feeling when you see someone get away with pulling the finger in name of art. Duchamp would have been proud.
World class Australian humour at it's very best.
"I am Bish" tricks you into liking it despite and perhaps because of it's audacity and perfection in calling itself a movie. Director Bish is even likable as a character in a movie he makes. The film nods to Quentin Tarantino's own love of time shifting and self awareness in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. For the MTV generation and beyond who have short attention spans due to growing up on Sesame Street, music videos and game consoles, the jumpy narrative jumping between scenes means you don't really get to relax. As would happen at the end of the world. Or watching a guy making a student film suddenly have to explain the end of the world. While making a student film.
The support characters, of which there aren't too many, give great performances. Bish's love interest Sarah is perfect as the arty hot chick that's good looking yet awkward and lovable. Kinda like a real life version of The Fifth Element - being imperfect is her perfection. I thought it was a shame she wasn't in more of the film. Well, there's a lot I thought while watching (including: What am i watching? and 'I love this guy!'). At one point I was having too much fun to realise this was billed as a zombie film. LOL? I hurt my sides.
At the turn of the decade, we now see movies made to look low budget that simply aren't. In world where low budget means a few million bucks, it's good to see something enjoyable and 'old school'.
I am Bish washes over you and gives you that happy feeling when you see someone get away with pulling the finger in name of art. Duchamp would have been proud.
World class Australian humour at it's very best.
Low-budget fun
Burdrew1 April 2010
It's unfair to judge a film for what it doesn't set out to achieve. Those who compare this film to "Two Fists One Heart" have really not been exposed to the wide range of films made in Australia.
"I Am Bish" is low-budget fun. It's certainly unconventional in style - the plot is disjointed, the visual effects are deliberately tacky, the combination of interview and drama is unusual - but that's the nature of the beast. It's not "the worst film ever". Bishop has set out to make a patchwork spoof and he entertains. It's a crude, comic romp and those wanting more should look elsewhere.
Few features are made in Perth. There are a number of films that have received funds from the local government funding body in recent years and still haven't gone into production. We must support those filmmakers who have the courage to make films and at their own expense. Bishop is a confident emerging director and deserves our encouragement.
"I Am Bish" is low-budget fun. It's certainly unconventional in style - the plot is disjointed, the visual effects are deliberately tacky, the combination of interview and drama is unusual - but that's the nature of the beast. It's not "the worst film ever". Bishop has set out to make a patchwork spoof and he entertains. It's a crude, comic romp and those wanting more should look elsewhere.
Few features are made in Perth. There are a number of films that have received funds from the local government funding body in recent years and still haven't gone into production. We must support those filmmakers who have the courage to make films and at their own expense. Bishop is a confident emerging director and deserves our encouragement.
very funny
milesjupp6 April 2010
I once saw the director give a speech about 20 years ago and it was one of the funniest speeches I've ever heard, so based on that I went to see the movie and was not disappointed. Very well written, the production, given the tiny budget, was excellent and I can only imagine that the Director is pretty popular to produce so many zombies, I mean, I only know 4!
I literally left the theatre following the screening with sore sides; I don't recall the last time I laughed that hard but hope to do it again soon.
Well done, please make another movie and I look forward to watching "I am Bish" for a second time.
I literally left the theatre following the screening with sore sides; I don't recall the last time I laughed that hard but hope to do it again soon.
Well done, please make another movie and I look forward to watching "I am Bish" for a second time.
This movie is hilarious :p
shilog7731 March 2010
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this film at the premiere screening. I wasn't sure what to expect of the final edit but I knew it would be a whole lot of fun and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I rate Dave Bishop's film making right up there with Kevin Smith & Mr. Ed Wood who's movies I have loved from an early age. This movie is set up to look like a student film so it's meant to be bad but that's what makes it so damn good. The 'zombies' are definitely laughable but no more so than some I've seen in recent big budget blockbusters.
Now, some reviews (if you can call a scathing personal attack on the actors a 'review') may lead you to believe that this movie is really not worth seeing but I personally would recommend it to anyone with a sense of humour. The 'Star Wars' references and low brow jokes had me laughing so hard I missed what happened next in a few places and I can't wait for the DVD release so I can pause it to catch my breath.
Do yourself and the Aussie film industry a favour and see this movie at the first opportunity!
Now, some reviews (if you can call a scathing personal attack on the actors a 'review') may lead you to believe that this movie is really not worth seeing but I personally would recommend it to anyone with a sense of humour. The 'Star Wars' references and low brow jokes had me laughing so hard I missed what happened next in a few places and I can't wait for the DVD release so I can pause it to catch my breath.
Do yourself and the Aussie film industry a favour and see this movie at the first opportunity!
Laugh Yes
miranda-edmonds5 May 2010
I AM BISH is a without a doubt my favourite zombie movie ever! OK so I'm not a zombie movie fan and technically it's not completely a zombie movie... but there are hundreds of zombies in it and they are bloody fantastic. Beyond the walking dead I AM BISH is an extremely originally crafted film. It weaves truth and fiction, real life and make believe in such a way that the line between them suddenly doesn't seem important.
I have never actually seen anything like it. One minute we are at the end of the world being pursued by zombies, the next getting insight into the state of the Australian film industry and the next just wishing the main character (and film maker, or is he?) Bish gets the girl just to shut him up. For a female viewer it is also a very entertaining insight into the workings of the male mind.
What held my interest however is the two leads. Siobhan as Sarah skillfully combines truth and spoof to deliver an extremely entertaining performance. I can't wait to see more from her in the future. And Bish himself comes to the film with such absolute honesty and quick wit that we go with him from zombie to bloody zombie start to finish.
I have never actually seen anything like it. One minute we are at the end of the world being pursued by zombies, the next getting insight into the state of the Australian film industry and the next just wishing the main character (and film maker, or is he?) Bish gets the girl just to shut him up. For a female viewer it is also a very entertaining insight into the workings of the male mind.
What held my interest however is the two leads. Siobhan as Sarah skillfully combines truth and spoof to deliver an extremely entertaining performance. I can't wait to see more from her in the future. And Bish himself comes to the film with such absolute honesty and quick wit that we go with him from zombie to bloody zombie start to finish.
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