Tropfest - The Life I’ve Seen
Perth grandmother Shirley Affleck reflects on a life well-lived and the lessons learned along the way with her husband of 67 years.
Interview with Director Dean Ginsburg
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I had met Shirley the year before and I thought she had a really interesting perspective — she grew up on a wheat farm in Western Australia in the 1930s, was a teenager during the Second World War and lived all around Australia, both in cities and on a farm, all of which informed her view on life. Also, generally speaking, I don't think we hear from elderly people enough in the media, or in our narrative stories, so I wanted to capture her thoughts and see if she could teach us something about how we live our own lives.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The Life I’ve Seen is a really emotional film and has a very powerful message — through Shirley’s experience, we learn just how important it is to cherish moments with the people we love.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the film cuts through all the noise and touches on the fragility of life — it reminds us to express how we feel to the important people in our lives, because one day it may be too late.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film definitely evolved during development, as when filming in Perth I actually discovered a box of old Super 8 home-movie reels in Shirley’s garage. They were just sitting there, gathering dust, so I had them digitised and was blown away by what I found; about 2 hours of material from the 1950s and 1960s that Shirley had filmed of her family. With this new material in mind, the focus of the film shifted and the story evolved.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback so far has been amazing. In addition to positive feedback from the live Tropfest audience on the night, we’ve actually had a few palliative care nurses request to use the film as a poignant conversation starter with families who have a loved one nearing the end. It’s truly humbling to know that our film may play a role, however small, in helping people express how they feel to their family members during a very difficult and emotional time.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The film is really emotional for me too, so I wasn’t surprised at the audience’s reaction — although you never know when it comes to a live audience, especially at a film’s first screening; it can be quite apprehensive on opening night. I think I’m most surprised at the fact that the film appeals to people across all age groups — whether young or old, the film's message has definitely hit home.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think the best thing is just spreading the word as I believe the film has a message that we can all really learn from. Having directed and edited the project myself, I feel I am still absorbing the lessons it has to offer, which is great.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think film festival directors and journalists coming on board would help the film be seen by the widest possible audience around the world. You can contact our producer at office@symmetrymedia.com
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d love the film to help audiences around the world look at their own life, reflect and ask some serious questions — when was the last time I told my mother, father, grandparent or loved one how I feel about them? How comfortable am I in my own skin, and if I’m not, what can I do to reduce my anxiety and be happy? When I come to the end of my life, what do I want to look back on? What will I be proud of?
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
For me the film takes us to a ‘pure' perspective, not coloured by the stress and anxiety of modern life; so for me the key question would be what memories we want to create with the people we love — because in the end, that’s all we'll have.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The producer of the film James Carr and I are currently developing a range of other feature projects across both documentary and narrative formats — it’s really exciting to have such great momentum after Tropfest and I think 2018 is going to be a year to remember.
Interview: February 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, 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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The Life I’ve Seen
Perth grandmother Shirley Affleck reflects on a life well-lived and the lessons learned along the way with her husband of 67 years.
Length: 4mins 45sec
Director: Dean Ginsburg
Producer: Dean Ginsburg & James Carr
About the writer, director and producer:
Director:
Dean Ginsburg is an award-winning director in advertising, with a passion for human stories. His short films have screened in over sixty festivals worldwide.
Producer:
James Carr has held a variety of management roles in advertising/production, and in 2015 won sponsorship to attend the Sundance Ignite development program.
Key cast: Shirley Affleck
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): film festival directors & journalists
Social media handles: Dean’s instagram - deanginsburg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/symmetrymedia/
Instagram: symmetry_media
Funders: Self funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Film festivals TBA