Rapid Films’ Craig Rasmus releases film on OZ’s biggest smallest country you’ve never heard of

Rapid Films director Craig Rasmus has just released ‘Atlantium: The Smallest Country In Australia’, a documentary on micro-nation leader and Emperor of Atlantium, George II that outlines the true story of one man’s journey to become the founder of the second largest micro-nation in the world.

Occupying an area of land twice the size of Vatican City, Atlantium sits on a property called Aurora, in rural NSW, about a four-hour drive South West of Sydney. It has its own government, currency, post office, flag, national anthem and citizenship of over 3,500 citizens. You can even rent out a premise at Atlantium on Airbnb for AUD$65 per night.

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Selected as Vimeo Staff Pick of the Week, the film featured in The SMH Entertainment section and has notched up impressive reviews with Monster Children interviewing Rasmus on the film’s leading man – who the culture bible would like to “poach for our own government”. The AU Review also quizzed Rasmus to delve deeper into the micro-nation’s history and political relevance.

Says Rasmus on his short film’s hero subject: “If he wasn’t the leader of another country I would say that George (Cruikshank) is a fascinating Australian. I find what he has done over the past 35 years both unbelievable and inspiring all at once. I hope the film lets people rethink what is considered achievable for an individual.”

Rasmus worked alongside his producer Rita Gagliardi (Rapid Films) on a three-day shoot to capture the story of Atlantium after first getting a glimpse inside the world of George II late last year.

“Over the 2015 Christmas break I saw an interview with Emperor George II on ABC News, Australia. His story fascinated me and I thought it would be a great story to tell in a creatively engaging way that was as unique as the story itself.”

The Sydney-based commercial director is also behind spots for Samsung, WWF, NRMA and Ronald McDonald House. In 2014, he won first place in the Young Director Awards in Cannes, France, for his ‘5Fund’ charity campaign for UNICEF/ QANTAS. Since then he has gone on to have his work featured in Creativity and Shots, as well as winning awards for his commercial work at festivals Adfest, AWARD and One Show.