"Canberra, Bitch" is a quirky comedy-drama film written by Alicja Jankowska, created with actors scouted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2021
The story revolves around Kiera, a young woman in her mid-twenties, who struggles to answer the question, "What is the capital city of Australia?" as the Quiz Master poses it to the rowdy pub quiz crowd. Kiera is clearly anxious and unsure of the answer and if that wasn't enough, she spots an obnoxious guy named Amadeus, whom she's supposed to go on a brunch date with the next day. Amadeus, who is portrayed as someone devoid of character and sporting a recently-bought oxford shirt, seems to be enjoying the attention from a stunning girl at another table. Kiera receives a call from Amadeus, who unexpectedly cancels their date without giving a reason. Feeling embarrassed and foolish, Kiera confides in her friends about the cancellation and her insecurity about not knowing the quiz answers. As Kiera vents her frustration, Maja and Mia offer support. Feeling empowered, the three friends hatch a plan for revenge. They confront Amadeus during the pub quiz, accusing him of cheating. A comical brawl ensues, culminating in Kiera delivering the triumphant line, "It's Canberra, bitch," as they leave Amadeus bloodied and defeated. The film combines elements of humor and empowerment as Kiera and her friends navigate social awkwardness, insecurity, and unexpected challenges while learning to stand up for themselves. "Canberra, Bitch" explores the dynamics of friendship and self-discovery in a light-hearted and entertaining manner, all within the charming and iconic backdrop of the Upper Circle Bar at King's Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Director Alicja Jankowska says: The inspiration for this film came from a personal experience – one night at a pub quiz, I found myself feeling completely out of my depth and, frankly, stupid when I couldn't answer simple questions. It got me thinking about how these seemingly inconsequential moments can hit us harder than we'd like to admit, but they also carry inherent humour. This film is a reflection of that, a portrayal of those relatable moments when we feel vulnerable and exposed. It's about the 'non-problems' that we all face and build up in our heads into something bigger, which can be simultaneously embarrassing and amusing. 'Canberra, Bitch' also delves into the idea of unity and empowerment amongst friends. In the film, we see that even during our most goofy moments, when our problems are, in fact, not real problems at all, our friends rally around us. This theme of friendship and standing up for one another, even in the face of trivial challenges, hopefully adds depth to the humor.
Brendan Smith - cinematography, editing, colour
Gregor Dippir @g_dippie - sound recordist
Luis Del Pozo - sound designer
Nora Blanche @norablanche - sound editor
Isaac and the Ransel Men @isaacandtheranselmen - music
Produced by
Alicja Jankowska @alicja_jn & Laura Hounsell @laura.hounsell
Executive Producer
Calum Mowatt @calummowatt
Written/Directed by
Alicja Jankowska @alicja_jn