We Will Remember Them- 100 Years of ANZAC Documentary (VCE 2015) Michael Serpell (description below)

We discussed in the Media 1 lectorial and workshop about preparing our next assignment which is the video portrait which could be of a family member, friend, partner, workmate, acquaintance or stranger. In Media at VCE I produced a creative documentary and although I was telling many different personal stories from current serviceman, veterans, historians and Shrine of Remembrance volunteers and young generation representatives the purpose was to link their experiences and opinions to the idea of ANZAC Day being upheld and the significance it has on their lives. I thought it would be relevant to share this documentary with you as in many senses it was my first exercise when I followed many stories and created a piece that shared the collaborative tales of many who are involved in all facets of ANZAC Day.

I was intrigued to learn more about all my subjects and the personalised interviews certainly were effective in being able to understand each subjects connection with war and the ANZAC spirit. A inspirational interview that I will never forget was with 96 year old Prisoner of War Frank Stabback, a man who said to me I was the first person from outside his family he has shared his story with. That in itself was an absolute honour but to be able to learn about his painful experiences and how he eventually spoke about the horrors of war after almost 50 years of silence to his grandchildren brought true emotion to the eyes of many viewers. Frank is an absolutely extraordinary man whose story I was privileged to have told in the documentary and in future I would like to make a longer presentation dedicated to Frank solely.

Enjoy the documentary which I had to strictly keep under the 10-minute VCE limit; and it was an incredible experience to interview some true heroes that ensured that we all live in a free country today; lest we forget.