MDFF 2021 - Australia Burns...silence of the land
In 2019-20 Australia experienced a catastrophic bushfire season, one of the worst on record. This documentary focuses not only on the fires and their devastating effect on Australia’s unique wildlife and eco system, but whether climate change played a roll, why was it so random and merciless and will this become the new normal?
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Shane McLachlan
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have a passion for the environment and our unique Australian wildlife and it is important to me that they be brought to the front and centre of our dialogue following the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Australia is a disappointment to the world in its lack of action on climate change and we all, especially Australians, need to change this.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The universal theme that I've underlined in this film is, It's not too late to take action on climate change...but time is running out.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
My script went from a discussion about the effect of the fires on our Australian flora and fauna to a focus on the Australian government's inefficiency in enacting a policy on climate change that is in line with the rest of the world.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
This documentary has been officially selected for 4 international film festivals since the start of June 2021. A preview in Sydney for supporters resulted in an invitation to screen the film in NSW Parliament, by The Greens.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The positive feedback has given me hope that my point of view is widely held among many Australians. No one has challenged my point of view.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
More Australians will stand up and take action against our Government and be educated on climate change and the impact it is having on our flora and fauna eg. koalas will be extinct in NSW by 2050.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To be screened as widely as possible, both in Australia and internationally.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can you imagine a world without our Australian native animals or plants?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm now in pre-production on a documentary about an Australian merchant banker who 30 years ago gave it all up to be a ski bum in Canada.
Interview: July 2021
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
Australia Burns...silence of the land
Length:
1:20:00
Writer/Director/Producer
SHANE McLACHLAN is an Australian award-winning Director, DOP and Editor based in Sydney, with over 35 years’ experience in corporate, TV commercials and documentary film making. He is also an experienced CASA certified drone pilot.
Looking for:
buyers
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/BunganBeach
https://www.instagram.com/shooting.picture/
Hashtags used:
#shooting.picture
More info:
Screens
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2021