Synopsis
In the shadow of the world’s largest coal-exporting city of Newcastle, this documentary feature follows a new generation turning to the living world to reclaim their future. A ensemble cast of young people confront the realities of the climate crisis and their uncertain futures. Through intimate portraits, we witness a shifting mood in local young people forging new connections with the living world—discover how these fragile bonds can spark resilience, courage, and hope.
Producer
Karl Brandstater & Verena Franz
Story
“After The Taking” is a documentary feature that integrates cinéma vérité to reflect the real-life drama that this city and region find themselves in.
Through the raw, unfiltered lens of our diverse cast of young locals, we explore stories that clash between disillusionment and hope. These characters and their peers are also part of reshaping the possibilities of environmental safety.
This two-part series follows a new generation as they navigate the uncertain path to reclaiming agency over their lives and futures.
The producers seek bold and visionary philanthropists to partner on this critical project.
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These character-driven narratives weave together the underlying cultural crisis with the city of Newcastle and its region’s urgent need for decarbonisation and sustainability—a microcosm of what the world faces.
A summary of our diverse and dynamic cast starts with Ena, a young First Nations healthcare worker and cultural artist. She bridges conversations with knowledge holders in science, culture and future industries. She also shares the ancestral wisdom of her people through powerful rituals and compelling interpretive performances. Ena’s vision for her city and region is to embrace the diversity of our voices as fuel for the urgent transition from exploiting the land to renewal.
On a secluded coastline shaped by nature’s forces, Grace, a gifted high school student, allows us to bear witness to her expedition that drives her passion for science, art, and a growing resolve to reclaim her future. She uncovers nature’s mastery of creating the perfect balance of elements, including naturally occurring coal, offering a vivid counterpoint to the heavy-handed industrial exploitation of her region.
Frankie is another high school student who reveals her unique capacity to think outside herself and embrace the key principles of caring for others and our environment. We discover that her powerful values of empathy and care stem from her relationship with her sister, Maya, who lives with a disability. They are both committed to building a story of hope for their generation’s future.
In contrast to his region’s heavy coal mining practices, Timothy, an environmental engineer, is part of a team exploring ways to help reverse the carbon cycle by returning carbon to the soil. His vision for his city and region is to support regenerative agriculture and domestic gardeners to become custodians of the soil.
Jemima, an electrical engineer, is frustrated by the lack of political will to invest in renewables. Yet, she finds joy and grounding by implementing environmental sustainability within the things she touches and experiences every day. We discover that the art of simplicity has become her science of happiness, and she surprises audiences with a confronting yet intriguingly humorous open letter and a public call to action for her region and city.
We have Zack, a history and law student, and a shantyman, who is active in growing a new community movement focused on helping youth secure agency in climate and environmental justice.
And, we have Lottie, a young mother, renowned artist, and activist, whose work highlights our need to be connected to something bigger than ourselves. Since moving to the city, she has suffered from Asthma due to the local coal dust.
As the stories interweave, they reveal unique ways of confronting the urgent conversations that the new generation expects from our leaders in government, business, and mainstream media.
Production Stage
- Development
- Production
- Post-production
- Completed
- Outreach
DURATION: 90 MINUTES
Issue area
HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
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