Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki
Damo Suzuki reflects on his life as he confronts cancer and attempts to resume a never-ending tour.
Interview with Director Michelle Heighway
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks so much.
Damo and I wanted to give out a positive message about healing.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It is a deeply inspiring and intimate journey about a very unique person!
Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
They connect hand in glove. I love to connect with themes that personally reflect my journey through life and this was a perfect example of that.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The journey was a long process. We started in 2014 and it was in 2019 when the final stages of interviews were collected to then complete the edit.
Damo Suzuki had recovered by this point and we were all very positive and happy to have captured a wonderful journey.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have said they found Damo and his story very inspiring.
Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I have only received great feedback. Which is something we can only hope for as filmmakers. I am finding it challenging to find distribution at present.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We would love to reach audiences far and wide. The more people we reach the better!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A distributor/sales agent would be wonderful. If this is not achieved we will release it independently.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To give people hope and inspiration.
Behind the scenes of Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The main themes are the power of now and the importance of a positive mindset. Also the belief in god.
This enabled Damo Suzuki to remain calm and positive through the healing process.
Do they feel the impacts of this thought process made all the difference?! and will it inspire people to take this same approach as they navigate their own life?
Would you like to add anything else?
Review at the Guardian
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Still lots of ideas in the development stage! Too early to disclose!
Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki poster
Interview: July 2023
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
Energy : A Documentary about Damo Suzuki
Damo Suzuki reflects on his life as he confronts cancer and attempts to resume a never-ending tour.
Length: 1:11:00
Director: Michelle Heighway
Producer: Michelle Heighway, Kiran Acharya
Writer: Michelle Heighway
About the writer, director and producer:
MICHELLE HEIGHWAY is known for her critically acclaimed documentary Mr. Somebody?, a rare intimate portrait filmed over four years and premiered at Sheffield Doc Festival and Leeds International Film Festival in 2014. Michelle is also an events photographer and has work published via Redwood Publishing, MixMag, Look, Orion Books, DIY Magazine, The Guardian, Clashmusic.com, MyDaily etc. Her film work has been seen on Channel 4, 40D, Choon TV and worldwide via GeoNet.
KIRAN ACHARYA is a producer/director and a writer at the Quietus and a freelance Editor based in London.
Key cast: Damo Suzuki, Elke Morsbach
Looking for: distributors, sales agents, buyers
Facebook: Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki
Twitter: @energythefilm
Instagram: @energythefilm
Hashtags used: #DamoSuzuki #Energythefilm #CAN #Krautrock
Website: www.energythefilm.co.uk
Other: YouTube
Funders: Indiegogo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Melbourne and also in the UK at UPP Cinema in Oxford on July 10th!