An artist's story from the Central Australian Desert.

Interview with Director Matt Deavin

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Living in Central Australia, I was looking for unique stories to tell. The place in itself is one of the most unique locations in the world - in terms of geology, culture and climate - and I knew that there would be countless good stories to be uncovered. When I was introduced to David's story through the Titjikala Art Centre, it was a story I had to tell. David has lived many lives in one and is an extremely talented artist. This alone was enough to make a film about but when you consider the complexity added to his life by failing kidneys and the need to be on dialysis 3 x times a week, in a town 120km down a dirt road, I knew there was a story there to be told. I made the film to shine a light on David's talent as an artist but to also partition for there to be a dialysis unit in Titjikala, which would make an enormous difference to the quality of his life and to others in the town suffering from the same condition.

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

It will give you a window into a man's life who comes from a completely different world. Remote communities in Central Australia such as Titjikala are different to anywhere else I've been in the world. They are tiny dots in the middle of an enormous desert and there are whole communities there, living their lives. Seeing how other people live can enrich our own lives and give us a better understanding of the world around us.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I think it's a universal theme that people in remote communities have to go without a considerable amount of services. In David's case, he doesn't have access to the health care services he needs.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has been in the Sydney Documentary Film Festival and is soon to play at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. The feedback so far has been positive. I think most people are interested to see a brief window into a life that is foreign to their own. In Titjikala, David and his family loved seeing the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It is yet to be shown at the upcoming film festival, so there hasn't been a lot of feedback so far.

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

I'm hoping to get David's story out there and ideally, if it could play a small part in getting dialysis units out to Titjikala that would be massive and my main goal for this film. On a personal level, I'd love to tell more stories like this, so if it could lead to finding more, that'd be great.

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

More film festivals or other distributors would be super helpful for getting the message of this film out

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

I want people to be moved by David's story, that he has to live with a severe medical condition and the only way to get treatment is for him to be away from his family and his passion. He has a deep connection to country that is impeded on 3 times a week due to his illness and the lack of services in his town.

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

Are remote communities entitled to the medical services that their inhabitants need to stay alive?

Would you like to add anything else?

A special thanks to Jayden O'Neill who helped film and edit this documentary alongside myself.

Interview: July 2023

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

Wire In His Blood

An artist's story from the Central Australian Desert.

Length: 6:56

Director: Matt Deavin

Producer: Matt Deavin

Writer: Matt Deavin

About the writer, director and producer:

MATT DEAVIN is a documentary filmmaker from Sydney, Australia. At the time of making the film, he was living in Alice Springs, documenting stories from the Central Australian Desert and enjoying the rich landscapes and culture of this part of the country.

Key cast: David Wallace

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, producers

Facebook: TIL Pictures

Instagram: @til_pictures

Hashtags used: #davidwallace #artist #centralaustralia #titjikala #sculpture #sculptor

Funders: Titjikala Art Centre

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

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, Melbourne, 1st - 31st July 2023