The Land Speaks
Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway artist Lisa Kennedy and Environmentalist/Educator Bryan Watterson unpack their feelings of connection to their property in Toora, South Gippsland which they have been listening to and returning to a state of biodiversity for the past twenty years.
Interview with Director Gaia Mitting
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you so much! I am close family friends with the primary interviewees Bryan and Lisa, and was so incredibly inspired by the reforestation and artistic work they have been doing on their property and in the surrounding community in Toora, South Gippsland over the past twenty years. Growing up, I always knew that what they were doing was special but it is only now that I fully appreciate the scope of their vision, its importance, and how much of it they have so far put into action.
I wanted to provide a platform for them to share this work through the filmic medium. I am hugely passionate about environmental respect and conservation and art and was deeply inspired by them as individuals. In a time of such environmental destruction and climate cruciality, and in a world rife in disconnection, Bryan and Lisa’s story and message is of incredible urgency, and it was truly special to be a part of it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film has a strong message, but communicates it with a great deal of gentleness and sensitivity. It aims to prioritise the voice of the Earth and encourage audiences to listen to it, whilst offering ways they can contribute to change in their own lives through the example of Lisa and Bryan. It features interviews with incredible artists and advocates within the wider community who are all inspiring.
Once desolate, the Land now thrives with 66,000 trees, an Indigenous-led Community Sculpture Circle, and the return of wildlife to the area. Bryan and Lisa, once considered unconventional for their environmental focus in a traditional farming community, are seen as inspirations.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It's a deeply personal story about the connection of two people to the Land, but how they have expressed that connection is incredibly pertinent in a universal sense. Throughout the film, Lisa and Bryan unpack their feelings of personal, environmental, creative, cultural, and familial connection evoked from their property in Toora, South Gippsland. The film explores how this personal connection has rippled outwards and contributed towards positive change in the wider community.
At its core, it is a personal story of two people of incredible grit who sold their house to buy a block of land and then listened to it deeply. On a wider scale, it is about the cruciality of connection in its various forms, and its power to positively affect people and thus the planet.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
My team and I collaborated closely with Bryan and Lisa on this film to ensure that it was a respectful and accurate portrayal of who they are and what they have done. From the beginning we were on the same page about creating a film which complemented in its tone the magical, uninhibited creative force of the Land. We wanted to portray the Land as its own character, to listen to its voice and give it the space to speak. Being a documentary, we had an idea of the themes we wanted to tackle and the direction we intended, but were open to let it breathe and evolve right up into the shoot.
The structure was also dependent on which additional interviewees involved in the projects would be available on the day of shooting. We ended up having an incredible community turn-out which was so special. It was truly an honour to speak to everyone involved in the projects in and around the property. We really wanted to listen to the people and land itself and let the film evolve from that, rather than being bound to a rigid structure. During the edit, I ensured I was consulting with Lisa and Bryan and the additional interviewees to ensure portrayals were accurate and respectful throughout the entire process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback we have received so far has been super positive! This screening with the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival will be the film's premiere, its pretty fresh. Lisa and Bryan have both been thrilled with the final outcome which was always my main priority, so that's the best feedback I could ask for.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has been humbling to know that what we have created is fully embraced by the two people it is about. As a filmmaker that has been my main concern going into this project, so I am overjoyed that it is the case.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It's fantastic to be represented through We Are Moving Stories! I would love to encourage people to attend the screening of 'The Land Speaks' on the 24th of July at Cinema Nova as part of the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
As we are at the beginning of the journey of sharing the film, I would love for anyone who is inspired by and connected to its message to come on board!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that this film inspires people to consider the connections to nature that they have in their own lives, and to be fueled by this towards contributing to positive change. Through Bryan and Lisa's example the film aims to advocate for the fact that this essential action is achievable by everyone in many different and personal ways.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What does connection mean to you? How can connection in its various forms contribute towards positive change?
Would you like to add anything else?
Throughout the filmmaking process, I worked closely with the Cinematographer Erin McMahon and Producer Harriett Bothroyd who are both incredible. I am hugely grateful to everyone in our amazing team for bringing this film to life.
As I am not a First Nations person, I have been highly aware of ensuring that I do not step into areas of cultural appropriation/misrepresentation when portraying Lisa's cultural perspective in the direction of this film. I have worked closely with Lisa as Cultural Consultant to ensure this. All culturally-specific content is presented respectfully and as verbatim. I have sought permissions and approvals throughout the filmmaking process. The aim of this film is not to make any cultural statements.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I myself (GAIA MITTING, Director/Editor) am currently writing and directing 'A Walk with Kate,' a short fictionalised feminist/gothic depiction of bushranger Ned Kelly's sister Kate's life, which is currently in pre-production. I'm also doing Sound Design for another short film 'Tabbeh,' directed by Sarah Ghassali and also in pre-production.
ERIN MCMAHON (Director of Photography) is currently working on a two week shoot for a series as a Boom Operator at the end of June. She is currently also in pre-production for the short film she is directing called Lithium, and pre-production for two films she is doing Sound on as well. All will be completed sometime in the next year.
HARRIETT BOTHROYD (Producer) is currently working on two student-led films, 'Lithium' and 'Bokeh,' for her final years at University as a Writer and Production Designer, and on the side is creating scripts and stories of her own.
Interview: July 2022
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The Land Speaks
Length:
20:16
Writer/Director
GAIA MITTING is a Melbourne-based emerging filmmaker. She has a deep passion for sustainability, animal activism and environmental respect, and believes strongly in the power of film to contribute towards significant change in society through engaging people’s emotions. Gaia is in her third year of a Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) at Swinburne University. In 2021, Gaia was a part of the team for the award winning short film 'La Tansouna' (dir. Sarah Ghassali).
Producer
HARRIETT BOTHROYD is a third year student studying film and creative writing at Swinburne University of Technology. She enjoys working on films at every stage of production, and The Land Speaks is the first documentary film she has produced.
Key cast:
Lisa Kennedy (herself), Bryan Watterson (himself).
Looking for:
distributors, film festival directors
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Land-Speaks-Short-Documentary-Film-107787038355111/
Where can I watch it?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival / Melbourne Cinema Nova-24th of July 2022.