We hoped our screening provoked curiosity and created a desire for viewers to delve deeper into the topic of ocean rubbish after leaving the room. I hope that it highlights the persistent issue of rubbish entering our oceans and the impact it has on our wildlife and ecosystems, and that the problem is far from resolved – rather an ongoing consequence of the behaviours of consumerism that many of us engage in. If we continue to fail to consider the impact of choices on our environment, we risk some deeply irreparable damage! Overall, I hope it communicates that the problem won’t go away until we all reflect more and more about the steps we can try to take to promote sustainability on our planet.
If we were to develop this impact documentary further, I would consider providing a richer backstory of Naryana (our interviewee), and include more imagery of his everyday life and witness him engage in the physical setting of the ocean. I would also consider requesting some archival footage of his formative years through videos or photos on the beach/surfing/etc – to illustrate how his love for the ocean has been an ongoing commitment. I think this would further humanise Naryana, and increase the emotional response we get from viewers! I would also love to gather and include more immersive, high quality shots from underwater of divers collecting rubbish during beach clean ups but also just the natural beauty of the flora and fauna that we need to remember to protect.
Something I strongly believe is that multiple perspectives/voices create a way more engaging impact documentary, so next time it would be great to involve people like marine biologists for a scientific perspective, ocean conservation activists for a perspective on what is currently being done and why they do what they do, as well as an elder with a connection to the ocean that can offer insight into how the ocean has changed over the decades. The diversity of the different perspectives would help create a more comprehensive view of the topic that ‘Rewilding’ explores.
From Art & Impact
‘Roofless Realities’
I thought that this ‘roofless realities’ did a great job at portraying the challenges faced by international students in Australia. Having both the perspective of Manu as an international student and Jenna as a RUSU social worker really allowed for a more balanced documentary as we were able to hear insight from an industry professional that really affirmed Manu’s struggles. Not only is the impact documentary a way for international students to feel seen and heard about the struggles they face, but it raises awareness and serves as a valuable resource for current and prospective international students through discussing solutions like financial aid and support networks.
Where are all the queers
I loved the discussion of how Flippy’s became a space for queer people to just drink, chat and connect in a relaxed setting, rather than feeling the need to go out to clubs to socialise with other members of the queer community. This shows how appreciated and valuable this bar is to the community. I also enjoyed the way the bar was captured in terms of lighting, helping further emulate the relaxed atmosphere. It was great hearing Nunzio Madden’s observations on the emerging/’younger’ queer community, and how they have recently noticed a surge in younger lesbians coming out – further establishing Nunzio as someone who can offer great insight on the queer community as they have been around to witness the varying trends.
From Instinct & Intention
Instinct & Intention: Mia’s edit series
“I found Mia’s work incredibly engaging. Her editing skills were evident in how seamlessly she matched the conventions of Narrative, Documentary, and Commercial edits. The narrative edit was particularly enjoyable, especially the segment where three different individuals were asked ‘do you believe in fate,’ each providing a distinct editing feel (I particularly liked the editing style of the last one). Mia’s documentary edit impressed me as well – it was compelling and rich with archival footage that created more depth! I also think Mia structured the narrative really well, showing us her journey from COVID, being isolated away from her family in China, deciding to make Australia her forever home and visiting her old primary school in China which inspired all of the little kid’s in the classroom that Mia once sat in! Lovely seeing Mia’s growth and development in such a small snapshot, and the documentary edit showcased the impact and pride that people feel when being awarded the privilege of being an Australian citizen.