MDFF 2021 - Wanting To Fly
In this film we follow the journey of Neil through his first attempt at human suspension. In addition, we gain exclusive access to the suspension community in Melbourne, Australia and identify what leads people to suspend. My documentary highlights not only the physical aspects of human suspension but also why people decide to do this to their bodies.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Matthew Morden
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to make a documentary that challenges me as a film maker and in a genre that's a bit different to what I normally do. I'm scared of needles and I thought that this subject would push me as a film maker and I found that exciting and a bit scary.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You get to follow the journey of a man doing something for the first time. Embarking on a journey that a lot of us would never undertake. Achieving something that many of us struggle to understand. In this film we invite you into the close knit human suspension community within Melbourne. You will witness what human suspension is, how it is done, and why people engage in suspension.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My documentary is a extremely personal journey. It follows Neil as he explores his first human hook suspension. Human suspension challenges you mentally, physically and emotionally and we follow Neil as he prepares himself to achieve his first suspension.
Universally, I think anyone who watches this documentary can relate to his feelings of the unknown. We can relate to Neil's apprehension of doing something for the first time. Especially as is may hurt or may bring joy to a person.
Although many of us struggle to understand why people participate in human suspension I believe the audience can related to Neil for his bravery and courage for doing something most of us would never do. I think we can relate to the strong sense of community within the hook suspension family.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The premise was to find out why people do suspension, what we learnt over time is that a lot of people do suspension to help with processing emotions. Whilst filming, mental health became a large topic and we identified that we underestimated the diversity of reasons that people suspend when we started filming this documentary. Also the power of community which comes across strong in this film and how we can learn from them about the importance of community.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been really interesting in terms of why I do this subject matter. A lot of people who haven't watched the film ask why would I want to do this subject. Many people struggle to comprehend why people would choose to do human suspension. People who watched the film were really fascinated with the subject matter, and it generally leads to diverse conversations after watching it. The audience has an opportunity to witness something they never heard of, and something they didn't know occurred in Melbourne. The great thing about Neil is that the audience connect with him because he's doing something he's never done before.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
When I first started to put the film together I found that the content was too challenging for some people. In response to this feedback I changed my editing strategy to more subtly engage the audience with the content. I wanted to give as broad an audience as possible the opportunity to learn about a unique community, a different point of view.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
More exposure for my documentary. To encourage more people to learn and engage with a subject matter that not a lot of us are aware of. Also to learn a good sense of community and a support network with the suspension community.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
If we could get journalists, film festivals, and film critics on board that would be wonderful for the documentary.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
That these people are like you and me but decide to do things that not everyone would do.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why people do this? How does this help mental health?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for allowing me to discuss my documentary on we are moving stories, its a wonderful platform.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently working on 2 more documentaries about my own personal experiences of hotel quarantine (MIQ) And the other documentary is about last remaining World War Two veterans from Australia and New Zealand.
Interview: August 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
Wanting To Fly
Length:
39:57
Writer/Director/Producer
MATTHEW MORDEN is a British director, writer and producer from Brighton, UK who immigrated to Melbourne, Australia 12 years ago further pursue his creative endeavors.
Looking for:
distributors/journalists/producers
Twitter:
@MordenClicks
Instagram:
Hashtags used:
human suspension, hook suspension, body modification, mental health, community, Melbourne documentary, Australia documentary
More info:
https://www.mordenproductions.com.au/melbourne-commercial-video
Where can I see it?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on the 15/9/2021