Mark Graham was arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever rugby league player, but his son, filmmaker Luke Graham, knew Mark more from watching him on TV than from time spent together. Recently a new father himself, Luke seeks a deeper connection with Mark by uncovering their shared history and confronting the wounds inflicted on Mark’s path to greatness.
Development / Luke Graham
Sharko
A father and son documentary about NZ's greatest Rugby League player… ever.
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Impact areas
Crew
DIRECTOR Luke Graham
PRODUCER Jonathan Page
Synopsis
DURATION: 100 MINUTES
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$182,291.00
FUNDING GOAL$0.00
FUNDS RAISEDFebruary 2023
PROJECT ENDS0
SUPPORTERS
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Issue Summary
A short summary of the issue the documentary is addressing
The documentary deals with Fatherhood, Identity, Mental Health, Masculinity, Heroic suffering, Grief and other aspects of the human condition, rough parts and all.
Impact
What is the impact vision statement of the documentary?
Sharko aims break generational moulds through self-discovery, accepting the past, and embracing the future. It looks at the effect of parents on their children and the emotional destruction we do to those who love us the most. Our Australian culture where men are raised to be hyper-masculine, unexpressive and the importance of sport, how it defines us as a nation.
Sharko aims to bring awareness and support for men’s mental health issues as we progress through an ever-changing world.
Outcomes
What outcomes does the project hope to achieve from making this documentary?
Short term goals include an attitude shift in the way masculinity in perceived, increased knowledge, understanding and awareness of men's mental health issues and generational family patterns.
Medium-term outcomes include schools implementing new policies around male mental health, education opportunities for sporting and other groups and improved infrastructure or support mechanisms for current organisations.
Long-term outcomes include reduced suicide numbers in male youth and adults and improved mental health education and support.
Stakeholders
How will partnerships with this project help inform the project development?
At present we have the support rugby league organisations including:
- National Rugby League (NRL) and their welfare and community division.
- New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) including all regional clubs
- Queensland Rugby League (QRL) including all regional clubs
- North Sydney Bears including their members and juniors
- New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL)
Councils will be contacted with the planned screenings/workshops. Gladstone Regional Council is the first contacted and will be building a strategy for both production and screenings within its region will local groups.
We are also in the final stages of securing the support of national and regional mental health organisations in strategic partnerships.
The producers will continue to develop opportunities for community awareness.
Audience Engagement and Social Impact
What actions does this project hope for its viewers after seeing this film?
We hope that our audience will:
- Start a conversation about Australian masculinity and its role
- Change the viewed behaviour around men's mental health
- Hosting their own screenings inviting local community groups
- Sign up to our mental health campaign
- Support campaign through social media, community and councils
Measurement and Evaluation
What is the projects indicators for success?
We will know when we have achieved our impact vision when:
- Started a national & international conversation on men's mental health
- Seen institutional change in community, schools and sports groups
- We have screened to 65% of rugby league clubs in both QLD & NSW including regional and remote locations.
- Audience participation in targeted mental health campaigns
