Strange Tenants were the “Godfathers of Australian Ska”, emerging in the 1980s in the wake of UK two-tone ska bands like The Specials but producing original political ska songs, unlike most other Australian ska bands. 36 years later they’re still around and still political.

Interview with Director Fiona Cochrane

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was a fan of the Strange Tenants back in the '80s and was intrigued that they had continued for over 30 years (albeit playing fairly infrequently). I can't think of another band from the time that's playing with virtually the same line-up.

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

The music has a political history, as do the Hearn brothers who started the band, and viewers will discover some of the History of two-tone ska, the evolving history of skinheads, as well as going on the emotional journey of the band.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The band is like a big family and a couple of the children of the band members have now joined the band, while one of the original members has died and is commemorated in the film, so love and death are in there in addition to music and politics.

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

There wasn't ever a script. I "wrote" it in my head as the interviews emerged and then put it together with the editor in the editing room.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Only just finished and about to premiere at the 2019 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, so no feedback yet. The band haven't even seen it!

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

Exposure for those who may be interested in coming along to see the film, or for film industry distribution people to know it's around.

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

Buyers/distributors/sales agents, film festival directors, journalists

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

A good one! But it's a 50-minute documentary so television sales would be great.

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

How do music subcultures bring together people of different colors/ ethnicities etc?

Would you like to add anything else?

Please come along and take a look

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

I'm producing a feature documentary about artists and peace with Mark Street (currently in post-production), and also assisted Helen Gaynor with her documentary The Candidate which is premiering at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival a few days after Strange Tenants.

Interview: June 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

Strange Tenants: Ska'd For Life

Length: 53:00

Director: Fiona Cochrane

Producer: Fiona Cochrane

Writer: Fiona Cochrane

About the writer, director and producer:

Producer/ director FIONA COCHRANE has produced and/or directed several independent Australian feature films as well as numerous documentaries, short films & music videos. Her feature films include Four of a Kind, Holidays on the River Yarra and Nirvana Street Murder, her recent documentaries include the feature-length documentaries Women are the Answer, Joe Camilleri: Australia’S Maltese Falcon and Rachel: A Perfect Life, as well as television documentaries 25 Tracks, All in her Stride, Music of the Brain, Opera Therapy, Tug of War and Screamin’ Wheelies. Her films have screened at numerous international festivals and received many international awards.

Key cast: Strange Tenants band

Looking for: film festival directors, distributors, sales agents

Website: www.f-reel.com

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