When Miro returns home at the end of WWII he finds his land taken, daughter stolen, community relocated and his service record treated with contempt but the battlefield has taught him how to fight and he sets out to reunite his family waging his own form of justice.

Interview with Writer/Director Victoria Wharfe McIntyre

Main image: Miro running to the Mission after returning from WWII

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Upon discovering Aboriginal soldiers’ land was taken and re-issued to white soldiers as part of the Soldier Settlement Scheme at the end of the World Wars, I was so incensed that Miro and the dream of an alternate historical outcome was born. The notion of Aboriginal people as warrior heroes has been actively expunged from our history and I wanted to see more Indigenous people as action heroes on screen, driving film narrative beyond the all pervasive white male gaze. We worked closely with the Condobolin Wiradjuri community in the telling of this story and many of the local community appear in the film.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It is a powerful no holes barred look at our history in an action adventure western format. Shot anamorphic in the outback with a huge score and soundscape and incredible performances particularly from Mark Coles Smith and Alexis Lane. It is moving and exciting.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

MIRO is about justice for the individual and the community. It is about the bonds of family and the pursuit of freedom, finding the courage as an individual to stand up to a system and rectify injustice.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Film is a collaborative art and everyone involved in MIRO has influenced and shaped the film. As a writer/director it is my job to encourage and foster the cast and crew’s creativity and input whilst maintaining cohesiveness in the finished film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has been very well received with a nomination for Best Short Film in the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards and Best Film, Best Actor (Mark Coles Smith) and Best Music Awards at the Veterans Film Festival in 2017. MIRO premiered at MIFF and I was invited into their Accelerator Program for directors transitioning from short to feature film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I’m very proud of this film and the team who created it - everyone came from a space of love for the story and the messages contained within and that love bought forth the most remarkable work from the entire cast and crew. A special nod to my dear friends and long term collaborative partners Petra Salsjö (composer) and Kevin Scott (DOP) love the way we work together and the work we make!

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Very much looking forward to having as many people as possible see MIRO - it is our history and remains relevant today.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are still on our festival run but are looking to explore distribution and educational opportunities. Also keen to screen in as many festivals as possible and jump on any media that helps promote our story and message.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like Indigenous people, particularly young Indigenous people to see themselves as heroes on screen and for our entire community to sink into this hidden part of our nation’s history.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How would you feel to serve your country in the field of war and return to discover your service treated with contempt and your home, child and community taken from you?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Currently working on a WWII feature film with Mythmaker Media and Harvest Pictures with long term core creative team: Kevin Scott (DOP) and Petra Salsjö (composer)

Interview: January 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIQ+, scifi, 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

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MIRO

Length:

24mins

Director:

Victoria Wharfe McIntyre

Producer:

Fran Dobbie and Amadeo Marquez Perez

Writer:

Victoria Wharfe McIntyre

Key cast:

Mark Coles Smith, Alexis Lane, Dean Kyrwood, Aaron L McGrath, Bill Thompson

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Social media handles:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mirothemovie/

Other:

www.mirothemovie.com

Funders:

Dawsville Films (Andrew Farriss)

Hayden Reynolds Foundation

Taysols

Patricia Armati

Layne Beachley

Jenny Warfe

Sandra Gross

Made in association with:

Arts Out West

Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Upcoming opportunities will be announced on our Facebook page.