Safe Spaces challenges the view of normal and questions the foundations of a family and loving relationship through the struggles of MS and the 'Great Australian Dream’.

Interview with Director Lyndal Redman and Caroline Holmstrom

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

It is a story waiting to happen - and the subjects of the documentary wanted their story heard to let others know that they are not alone. They insisted on honesty in the hope that an audience would connect with who they are, the impact of degenerative disease and what “home” really means.

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

To say that people living with disability have been marginalised is an understatement. This documentary brings you closer to lived experience of disability, challenges your view of “normal” and helps to question the foundations of relationships and family.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

We are all flawed beings who struggle and triumph.

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

We worked with this family for two years to understand and chronicle their experience. We have moved and changed as their story has moved and changed. We could not have done this knowing what the end result would be, we had to remain open to what life delivered and work with it.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been varied but always “moving”. Some people have felt devastated by the ruin disease can wreak on lives, others have seen it as a story of hope and recognition of the power of government policy interventions to change the world.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was surprised that people were devastated. It made me realise that Safe Spaces is a very personal account that awakens empathy.

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

Visibility, the possibility of funding for a part two that follow the family through to resolution of their housing situation.

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

We would like journalists to understand the impact opportunity associated with the NDIS and particularly the Specialist Disability Accommodation provision. This can be seriously life changing for individuals and families and it is a story that has not been fully realised to date.

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

We want people to walk away realising the importance of the NDIS and the reality of what having a home means for families living with disability

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

Why should we care about how people with disability live?

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

Caroline is working on finding funding for part two of Safe Spaces as well as having set up a not-for-profit to help people living with complex disability find great housing solutions. Lyndal is currently working on a documentary about miscarriage, the stigma it still has, and the loneliness that those who suffer a loss still endure.

Interview: June 2018

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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

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SAFE SPACES

Safe Spaces challenges the view of normal and questions the foundations of a family and loving relationship through the struggles of MS and the 'Great Australian Dream’.

Length:

28 Minutes

Director:

Lyndal Redman and Caroline Holmstrom

Producer:

Caroline Holmstrom

Writer:

Caroline Holmstrom

About the writer, director and producer:

Lyndal has over 15-years experience in the broadcast industry working on documentaries and corporate productions. She was at one time Adelaide’s only female ENG News Camera operators.

Caroline’s friends from the ‘80s film scene assure her she not is completely delusional. Safe Spaces is her attempt to prove them right.

Key cast:

Paul and Sue Scardigno

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

Journalists, buyers, and funding for part two of Safe Spaces and funding for You Are Not Alone

Social media handles:

@redmanmediaau

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/RedmanMediaAU

Twitter:

@RedmanMediaAU

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/redmanmediaau

Funders:

CARA

Made in association with:

CARA

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

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

High Peak International Film Festival - Manchester

SAGA Adelaide International Women's Film Festival