Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2019 – After the Tsunami
Sri Lankan survivors of the 2004 boxing day Tsunami reflect on the event, impact, and aftermath of the tragedy.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Mark Hellinger
Watch After the Tsunami here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
After spending time in Sri Lanka recently, I spoke to many people about how the destruction of the 2004 Tsunami still impacts them. Usually, when a tragedy like this happens, the world's attention is on the survivors, but in time that attention fades and the people are still suffering. I thought it was important to tell these stories. So I shot the documentary short in Sri Lanka. It aims to raise awareness of the plight of the Sri Lankan people.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
After the Tsunami puts you in the shoes of survivors of the Boxing Day tragedy to understand what they went through and are still going through.
It also shows the way the community has worked to rebuild in the years after the tragedy and how many are now thriving ironically thanks to the ocean over a decade on.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The theme of resilience is very important about how survivors didn’t have any choice but to move forward in the aftermath of the tragedy.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film evolved after each interview I did, each story told brought so much to the film and showed the differences in the experiences of the survivors.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback has been very positive, people have connected to the subjects of the film and empathised with the stories they told.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has been surprising, it’s always great when someone connects with something you spend a long time working on. Most importantly many Sri Lankan friends I have shown the film to have appreciated it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to get the film out there and get more people to see it. I think its an often overlooked story which would be great if people can see it at the upcoming Melbourne Documentary Film Festival July 20 at the Cinema Nova.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
If film festival directors were to see it and think the film is relevant for their festivals that would be great as the more people who see the film the more this important message gets out there.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would just love people to see the film and hear the stories of these survivors as it's important to remember what has happened in the past.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do people forget about people suffering tragedy so quickly after it happens?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed and thanks to Melbourne Documentary Film Festival for screening the film.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working in projects I recently shot in India and Nepal, which will hopefully be in a film festival near you soon.
Interview: June 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
After the Tsunami
Sri Lankan survivors of the 2004 boxing day Tsunami reflect on the event, impact, and aftermath of the tragedy.
Length: 6:59
Director: Mark Hellinger
Producer: Mark Hellinger
Writer: Mark Hellinger
About the writer, director and producer:
MARK HELLINGER is a Melbourne-based filmmaker who has directed and produced several award-winning internationally and locally broadcast films. Mark’s work predominantly focuses on the multicultural nature of Australian society and how sport and art can help people find their feet.
Key cast: Cast - Thilina Dananjaya, Raja Dananjaya, Saleem, Sound mixer - Artie Blakeney, Colourist - Rob Shedden
Looking for: film festival directors, distributors
Facebook: Mark H
Twitter: @m_h1234
Instagram: @hproductions_au
Hashtags used: #afterthetsunami
Website: hproductions.com.au
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? After the Tsunami will be screening at the upcoming Melbourne Documentary Film Festival July 20 at the Cinema Nova.