Director’s statement:
Growing up Asian in an Australian community was easy for me. But for others of non-caucasian background, settling in can be a difficult process. My dad, for example, had struggled with his identity while growing up in a predominantly white community. Throughout his adolescence he worked at the Queen Victoria Market alongside his father who owned a fruit and veg stall there, and admits that the market was something of a second home to him; somewhere he felt like he belonged. The diversity of people, the relationships he developed with regular customers and the camaraderie between traders were all significant components of the overall sense of comfort and homeliness he felt there, and continues to associate with it to this day. He said the Queen Victoria market will always remain a part of his identity, observing that if the market were to be changed, so too would that part of his sense of self.
Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging. There are certain things, or places, that provide one with comfort and familiarity and when you realise what these are, you don’t want to see them changed. For me and many other locals, the Preston Market is one of those places. It’s rich in diversity – of food, people and products. It’s where many migrant families started up their businesses and established a living for themselves, hence why the prospect of developers building high-rise apartment blocks on top of it and eradicating parts of it to bring in commercial stores has been met with outrage. The formation of a local community group called ‘People for Preston Market’ who have organised both rallies and petitions to try and stagnate the proposal evidences this (link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveOurPrestonMarket/about/). Seeing the community go up in arms over the plan to redevelop the market has no doubt reaffirmed the value it carries in our neighbourhood. The market is more than just a grocery store. It’s a place where everyone can feel like they belong, especially those from a different heritage. In my documentary I want to uncover some of the stories of these migrant workers and delve into their backgrounds, their transition to Australia and their history with the market, with the intention of revealing what is it that makes it feel like a home to them and how and why the redevelopment would impact their sense of belonging.
The redevelopment would indelibly alter the feel of the market, losing its authentic, historic atmosphere by adopting the same sanitised and commercial tone that is no different to any other place. We can already see evidence of this in the newly renovated section of the market called the Preston Artist Market. In place of the old stalls stands a number of artisan craft stores and fancy food trucks, yet there is an eerie emptiness to this section particularly when compared to the congestion and general hubbub of the grocers and deli. It’s a telling scene. The people – both customers and traders – don’t want, or need, the change.
What I think it says most about the human condition is that people can find solace in physical locations, and when those locations are changed or threatened in some way it also threatens the identity of those who have established an emotional attachment to the place.
Shooting style:
In terms of shots, I want to take some polarising videos of the two areas; the original parts of the market and the parts that have already started being redeveloped. I want to use sweeping shots to capture the former section, as it provides a lot more scope and will emphasise the chaotic environment. In contrast, I want to use still shots to shoot the redeveloped part to highlight the desolation and lack of activity there. If possible there will be the inclusion of some minor movement within the still environment, for example a plastic bag floating along the ground. The contrast in these shots will also be reflected aurally, as I will be conscious to include the general commotion of the busier areas to generate a better sense of its ambience. I also want to include some slow motion shots with sentimental background music to evoke the sense of nostalgia that is associated with the theme of this documentary.
Synopsis:
The documentary will tell the stories of several traders that allude to the theme of belonging, and explore what the Preston Market means to them. It will take a ‘day in the life’ approach to one trader in particular, where we will follow them and see what comprises a standard day at the market, incorporating footage of them setting up of the stall and interacting with customers, intertwined with face-to-face interview footage. Alongside their stories, the film will also highlight the destructive nature of the redevelopment and the impact of such a change on ones identity.
Tag lines:
Preston Market: A Place to Call Home.
Research:
Screenshots obtained from the Darebin Heritage website (http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/479)
Other relevant information
Archival photograph from Museums Victoria website (https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/800420) next to photograph taken by myself on 01/03/18.
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