Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2019 – Brolga
In a ravaged future-Australia, a solitary hermit guarding a priceless treasure is forced to offer sanctuary to a young girl who is fleeing murderous scavengers. With danger around every corner, can they learn to survive together?
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Adrian Powers
Watch Brolga here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
With 'Brolga', I wanted to present a film set in a post-apocalyptic Australia that speaks specifically to the power of Aboriginal storytelling and highlights the importance of acknowledging the insights and experiences of Indigenous culture. The world of the film has destroyed itself, yet still possesses a few determined souls who are still intent on preserving what remains. In this place, no longer is the Aboriginal voice fighting to be heard — it is one of the last voices fighting to stay alive. However, even in this bleak dystopia, ancient stories prove to be just as powerful and meaningful as ever.
Furthermore, this movie is about highlighting the value of stories, and the need to cooperate to preserve them. It poses the question: if contemporary society were to collapse, and humanity was reduced to its base elements, what roles would stories play? What meanings would they hold for us? How important would they be and how would we tell them? It’s about seeing yourself reflected in stories, and the ways in which they impact us, influence us and inspire us. I hope that the film is compelling as a cinematic experience, but also thought-provoking.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
'Brolga' presents the Australian landscape and culture in a stylised way that's never been shown before. It's an engaging, tense and thought-provoking post-apocalyptic thriller that leaves the audience both moved and reflective.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes of 'Brolga' are an innate foundation of the story. In one regard the film closely revolves around the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous identities, and reflects on how they interact, clash and cooperate. On the other hand, the film also deals closely with the concepts of storytelling itself and the nature of stories, and why they're so incredibly important. These themes are applicable to all nations, certainly those with an Indigenous population, yet are particularly resonant for Australians like me.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
'Brolga' has been in development since 2011. Although it has evolved and grown substantially through writing, production and editorial, the core essence and message of the story have always remained exactly the same. Of all the films I have worked on, this one has remained truest to the original conception.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback so far has been absolutely wonderful, and the entire team is incredibly grateful. We've had multiple audience members come up to us after screenings (or write to us) explaining how much the film affected them, moved them and made them think. It's very rewarding and we're very humbled.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not at all. I've been very rewarded by the fact that audiences appear to make the connections and draw the conclusions that we intended, and the message has successfully hit home in all the discussions I have had with audiences.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm excited to spread the word about the film and attract other festivals who are interested in programming it. I'm also keen to engage with other filmmakers and audience members in discussing the film's message and moving on to other projects that excite and inspire me. We are also in the early developmental stages of adapting the short into a feature-length project, so I'm particularly excited to discuss that.
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, anyone who is excited to help us amplify the message of the film is more than welcome to get in touch -- we want to give the film the biggest opportunity to reach as many people as possible. Anyone who is interested in collaborating on other projects, or discussing the possibilities of adapting or expanding on the promise of the short would also be most welcome.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
First of all, I hope that people are engaged and moved by the drama and characters, and wind up experiencing an emotional connection and journey. Furthermore, I hope that 'Brolga' compels audiences to reflect on their culture, their relationships with Indigenous cultures, and to consider just how important culture and stories are. I hope people are inspired and left thinking.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
At the end of the world, when society has collapsed and cultures are fractured, will we have anything left to hold us together and inspire us?
Would you like to add anything else?
I'd like to express my deepest thanks to the Aboriginal elder and artist who allowed us to proceed on this project in the first place. Obviously, in order for me, a non-Indigenous Australian, to be dealing with this material, I required permission and approval. I got in touch with Michael Connolly, the Murriwarri elder and artist who had actually created several of the painted pieces that originally inspired the film, and sought his opinion and blessing. Thankfully, he was delighted by the idea and granted full approval to continue the project. Without the support of Michael and his amazing wife, Jo, this film would not have been possible.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently in early pre-production on my next feature film writing/directing effort, but that's top secret for now! Tiarnie Coupland is a prolific Australian actress who is going from strength to strength, and James Saunders is about to re-enter the Australian performance scene after growing his career in media and news, so I'm very excited to see what they're working on next.
Interview: November 2019
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
Brolga
In a ravaged future-Australia, a solitary hermit guarding a priceless treasure is forced to offer sanctuary to a young girl who is fleeing murderous scavengers. With danger around every corner, can they learn to survive together?
Length: 15:43
Director: Adrian Powers
Producer: J.J. Todd
Writer: Adrian Powers
About the writer, director and producer:
ADRIAN POWERS is an Australian film director, screenwriter and editor. His films have screened & won accolades at film festivals across the globe, and his short film Scruples screened at the 69th Venice Film Festival as part of a collaboration between YouTube, Michael Fassbender and Sir Ridley Scott. He has edited twelve feature films (including Forbidden Ground, which he also co-directed), and is currently developing his next feature directorial effort.
J.J. TODD is an Australian producer and production manager. He is a graduate of the International Film School Sydney and is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Key cast: James Saunders (The Storyteller), Tiarnie Coupland (The Girl), James Shepherd (The Storyteller)
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, producers, buyers
Facebook: Brolga
Twitter: @adrianjpowers
Instagram: @adrianjpowers
Hashtags used: #brolgafilm
Other: IMDb, IMDb Adrian Powers
Funders: Self-funded + Indiegogo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Sherman Oaks Film Festival, Sherman Oaks CA - 24th November 2019