Melbourne Documentary Film Festival - Breaking Ice
An exploration into the extreme dangers of Ice addiction as well as the struggles to sobriety. A former self confessed Ice addict looks to rebuild lost relationships and find a purpose beyond the drug’s stranglehold.
Interview with Director/Producer James Nightingale
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Breaking Ice was a project that almost fell in my lap. I was living in Central QLD at the time and while working on a feature film I felt I was constantly surrounded by the drug Ice. I couldn't escape hearing about it almost every day and although I was never directly affected by it, the problem for me was that almost all of what I was hearing was coming from close friends who were using it like it meant nothing. Slowly I watched as they used it more and more, some of them functioning normally with some of them totally losing control; all of whom, however, had seemingly no real plan of escape. It was then I decided to delve deeper into the psyche of what could be a catalyst to take on such a drug but more importantly if it was indeed possible for users to come clean after years of abuse and live a normal drug free life post addiction. Not long after I started my research I met John (my subject) and away we went.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
One thing that we were incredibly lucky with in John was his candid approach to his own story. Audiences are in the front row seat to seeing how a normal young kid can fast forward their lives to becoming a recovering ice addict of 15 years. Breaking Ice is a portrait documentary which opens the door to a deeper look into such a journey giving audiences a chance to surface their own experiences with substance abuse as well as some of life's other battles whether it be through personal trials or the struggles of a family member or friend. The founding message to the film travels beyond drug use which I think will resonate with people who take the time to see it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The benefit of a portrait documentary is being able to hear a story from the horse's mouth so to speak. Like most stories of substance abuse John's battle with drug addiction is merely a platform for escape from an unfulfilled life and/or dealing with underlying issues. Without giving the film away John recognises not only in himself but in other addicts what needs to be done in order to move beyond dependency which is to ultimately find a purpose. Whether it is alcohol, food, sex or any other detrimental whirl we have all at some point chosen a weapon of self-destruction, which begs the question of whether we can address these societal issues creating problems such as the Ice epidemic or whether we return all onus back to each individual.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script didn't change a great deal, to be completely honest. Mostly because we were well aware of where John was at in his recovery so we had a pretty good idea of where the story was heading. The only details that needed to be filled were the origins of John's story and of course his interpretation of breaking his own addiction.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback has been a really positive experience. For people who have been able to see it already Breaking Ice has really resonated with people who have gone through similar struggles. It is hard to find someone these days who hasn't been affected by Ice in even the smallest of manners but to hear people being able to connect on a deeper level and recognise that hardships which often create the highest sense of isolation is being suffered by thousands of people around them. Those small conversations of similar stories followed by an understated but moving thank you are by far the most rewarding.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Conversations about the film almost always end up in the same corner. Of course the conversation is dominated by the level of Ice use in the community but it soon turns to people examining their own experiences and how a family friend, girl friend, boy friend or anybody else they know became addicted to the drug and where they are at now. The interesting element comes when opinions differ on the level assistance that should be extended to drug users and although the varying degree of views are hardly surprising it is important that the issue is brought to the surface and discussed.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It would be completely remiss of me as a filmmaker to not continue said conversation through such a great platform. I hope audiences can either recognise a similar battle in another person or gain more of an understanding that drug abuse is not always as black and white as it seems. We Are Moving Stories is a tremendously helpful platform for all films but particularly for us it will only help keep those issues in the forefront of audience's minds
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this stage any of the above would be immensely helpful as we would love the film and particularly its message to stretch far and wide. That said the audiences we have reached so far have been positive so if the film continues to reach out from the independent work we are doing it would be hard not to see it as a result.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Reiterating what I have mentioned above it is important for us to simply continue the conversation. To be able to reach out to people and allow them to see a similar battle in an other and believe hope is never lost is hugely important. Regardless of what one's opinion is on how addicts are treated, innocent people are affected by this drug on a daily basis which makes it a universal issue, we can't simply sweep it under the rug. Of course as a filmmaker I would to establish great relationships for future projects as well.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Along with continuing to push Breaking Ice, my producing partner Ben Mix (MixMedia Productions) and I are currently in the latter stages of pre-production of a new feature length documentary surrounding the Japanese invasion of Rabaul, New Guinea during WWII. Another story of incredible hardships but through very different circumstances. After a lot of research shooting will finally begin in the coming weeks.
Interview: June 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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
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Breaking Ice
An exploration into the extreme dangers of Ice addiction as well as the struggles to sobriety. A former self confessed Ice addict looks to rebuild lost relationships and find a purpose beyond the drug’s stranglehold.
12m 54s
Director: James Nightingale
Producer: James Nightingale / Ben Mix
About James Nightingale
Following Breaking Ice James is embarking on his debut feature - a documentary based around the Japanese invasion of Rabaul New Guinea in WWII. Ben Mix - The owner of his own production company Ben splits his time between the sets of his own videos and his passion for films.
Looking for: producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingicefilm/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/CZSFM3MrGmE
Breaking Ice will be screening at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on the 9th of July