Filmmaker Statement

SUBS emerged from co-writer Arthur LOK, an olympic athlete wanting to expose sport's murky underbelly, and to explore what drives athletes to doping. My collaboration with Arthur blended our strengths. His sports insights helped me shape a narrative that humanises steroid victims, scrutinising choices with empathy. Mason's family support pursuit and his Coach's aim to uplift disadvantaged youth were vehicles for exploration. From the start, I aimed for a nuanced narrative void of typical antagonists. Stressing the role of circumstances, I consciously excluded domestic violence as a driving factor, steering clear of the 'broken home' narrative. Amidst an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, stories depicting how financial woes affect low-income families resonate profoundly. SUBS contributes to this conversation, highlighting the challenges countless families face due to economic strain.