D-TOX

D-TOX is a sci-fi drama short that tells the story of Ari, the sole occupant of a long-haul research space vessel. Ari’s entire life is a lonely routine. Every day the same, down to the mood stabiliser pill she takes each night, dispensed by the ship’s medical bay.

When one day the pills stop, the following withdrawals lead her to question if she was always alone on the ship. As past and present blur into one, Ari is forced to confront the truth she has been hiding from.

Polly Garrett is Naarm (Melbourne) based, non-binary director and writer. They have an interest in telling female and queer-led stories. They have a background in acting (Bachelor of Acting for Stage and Screen, BAPA). This informs their performance-based methodology, working closely with actors during the writing and development process. Polly is also a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (Masters of Film and TV). Here, they continued to develop their craft examining autobiographical stories. Polly is passionate about connecting with other queer and gender-diverse collaborators to create films that inspire hope without shying away from the struggles and complexity of this big adventure we call life.

“I had always been interested in Indie Sci-fi films and their potential as a vehicle to explore psychology. Through D-TOX I want to explore the struggles of depression and grief through the lens of genre, using space as a backdrop to inform this experience of isolation. I want to ask the question of what is more powerful, the pain of loss or the memory of love. But ultimately, I want the film to act as a reminder that you can always find hope even in the depths of pain” (Polly Garrett).