Retro hardware enthusiast Cameron Bonde explores the community and culture of retro video gaming.

Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Michael Naim

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I attended the PAX gaming exhibition in Melbourne one year and noticed they had an area dedicated entirely to older games and gaming consoles. It made me realise that the games that I grew up with were now considered older and more retro and this in itself made it something unique, which I thought was interesting. I also noticed a lot of arcade and pinball bars popping up around the CBD and it sort of just dawned on me that there was a growing interest in retro games and hardware.

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

Because you're a gamer! But if you're not a gamer that's fine because Retro Gamers isn't just about games, it's also about how technology is evolving and how that's changing the way we do things and interact with each other.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I'm big on nostalgia and remembering my childhood so that's definitely something that translates in the film. I think sometimes I'm a bit disillusioned with this whole digital world we live in.

Retro Gamers is about gaming culture and how it has changed over time. I think that in itself is asking a broader question about society and how society has changed, for better or for worse.

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

I think the scope of it changed. It went from being 'We'll just talk to this guy who likes collecting old stuff' to 'ok turns out this is a really big deal for a lot of people and there's all this history in Australia when it comes to games and technology that hasn't been told yet so let's tell it'.

Retro Gamers - Space Invaders, Pac - Man

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly positive, which doesn't mean much because it hasn't come out yet! The people who were involved in making the film are the only ones that have seen it to this point but they tell me it's good so that's a start I guess.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We'll see after it comes out.

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

We Are Moving Stories is just such a great platform for up-and-coming filmmakers to get their stories heard so just having it reach as many people as humanly possible.

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

The intention is for Retro Gamers to become a series so we are definitely looking to the streamers to try and get something going. There's just so much content and so much history from this world that hasn't been told and I think it needs to be told.

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

Hopefully positive, but even just for it to be something interesting that people can think about.

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

Where are we heading?

Would you like to add anything else?

I think we've covered everything!

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

Narrative films.

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

Retro Gamers

Retro hardware enthusiast Cameron Bonde explores the community and culture of retro video gaming.

Length: 29:05

Director: Michael Naim

Producer: Michael Naim

Writer: Michael Naim

About the writer, director and producer:

MICHAEL NAIM is an independent filmmaker from Melbourne. Having started his career in editing and shooting music videos, he has spent the last few years making documentary films and also work on fiction narrative films.

Key cast: Cameron Bonde (subject)

Looking for: sales agents, producers, buyers

Hashtags used: #retrogamers

Website: www.michaelnaimfilm.com

Funders: Self-funded

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

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival / Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053 - Sunday 23rd July