Rain On Tartan - An Olympian/architect and filmmakers ode to what a running track feels like.
Witness the tides of movement from dawn to dusk, to hear the birds, footsteps, breathing, traffic, spitting, rain.
Kia Ora and hello from wherever you are in the world.
Rain On Tartan.
This is the second film I've released in the past month! (I’m quite sleepy now after not only making the films, but organising and hosting the screenings too). We held an intimate screening a few nights ago here in Melbourne. Despite some technical difficulties involving a few cable switches, a ladder, and the help of five or six people, getting to show this film was a magical experience.
Catriona approached me while she was in Europe, racing the Diamond League circuit in 2023. What continued were many in-depth conversations that led to the concept of this film, which we set out to create at a track in Melbourne: the George Knott Reserve. A track we both trained and and knew intimately.
After editing the film and talking with Raudie McLeod, who scored it, he mentioned that the style reminded him of "The Zone of Interest." Although our topics, budget, and many other elements differ, a spark ignited. I experienced that feeling when you realise you've discovered a new layer in your work, or a new path has presented itself that feels truly like you.
I've always loved watching a scene unfold. Equally, I love the energy of moving with a subject—the latter being more commercially understood, with its momentum and dynamism. However, I also cherish the quiet, the contemplation, and letting things reveal themselves. This can be conflicting in the choices I make creatively.
In finishing this film, I was able to balance these loves—creating the work in a way that allowed scenes to unfold that have constant movement within each frame.
Working with Raudie on the score, I wanted a somber yet not too dark of a feeling and sound. A trilogy of books and a film I referenced was "Annihilation," directed by Alex Garland, with a score by Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury. The film captures the most beautiful aspects of nature, yet it's twisted, drawing you into seemingly mundane or everyday scenes.
The film features George Knott Reserve, a local public athletics track, home to the Collingwood Harriers. Non-linear and shot over several days, it captures the track’s unique atmosphere, ecology, and function as a public space. This collaboration was inspired by Catriona’s architecture master’s thesis, which examined how sport relates to urban space. Athletics tracks host diverse yet conflicting activities and interests: the training of recreational and professional athletes, schools and clubs, and private ownership versus public access. Catriona explored how to navigate these needs through various methods—interviews, design testing, photography, filmmaking, and autoethnography (her double life as a professional track athlete). "Rain on Tartan" transcends the dominant visual mode of architecture by expressing spatiotemporal concepts of atmosphere and sensory connection to space.
Making the film allowed us to talk to the club president, observe track use, and consider what elements produce inclusive and valuable public spaces that still meet the needs of athletes. Tracks can seem intimidating and specialised, but we hope our film shows their lively, playful, sometimes gritty, yet beautiful personalities and how publicly accessible tracks can serve as public squares and gathering places
Enjoy!
Ben & Catriona
For the best experience, I suggest watching this film with minimal to no distractions, on the biggest screen you have with the best audio you have.
Concept: Catriona Bisset
Director & Editor: Ben Clement
Music Composition: Raudie McLeod
Color Grade: Mondo Hays
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SUGGESTIONS
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You can follow and keep up with what we’re doing at @benclement, @catrionabisset, @raudie_mcleod, @soccermums.
Posts from the archive are HERE.
Thanks again, and have a good week !