Peer Inside the Lives of Others in Director Jasmin Tarasin’s ‘Together Alone’

Photoplay’s Jasmin Tarasin has just directed ‘Together Alone’, a personal series that documents the lives of her neighbours as the close-knit community in NSW self isolates during the global pandemic.

First up viewers meet Shika Sahay, who lives with her partner, graphic artist Louis Joyce, and their two boys, both under four. They have built themselves a bush sanctuary by the sea and live mostly in isolation, working from home and raising their young sons.

Viewers are then introduced to Emma Saunders, a choreographer who works on large-scale dance projects for Sydney Festival and Carriageworks. She lives with her musician husband, Steff, and two children Audrey and Fred in the seaside suburb of Wombarra.

Lastly is painter and tattoo artist Montana Miller, who resides in a share house in beachside village, Austinmer. During this time, she is using her own body as a blank canvas to refine her tattooing skills and, according to Miller, this is a rich time for reflection and exploration.

Says Tarasin: “During isolation I could feel all of my friends around me in their now small worlds, spinning around in their homes. I felt like I wanted to be a fly on the wall and be a part of my friend’s lives.

“As a director, I needed to define myself again and tell stories about the human condition, particularly during this time. In a safe and social distanced fashion, a local DOP – Jack Saltmiras – and I went into three homes and spent a few hours documenting the spirit of our community through the lens of these people’s lives.”