Lilias Fraser: a pioneer of Australian cinema who overcame huge personal challenges to make over forty films in her lifetime. Her younger daughter, filmmaker Jane Castle, tells Lilias’s story in a poetic meditation, using the rich textures of an unseen part of Australia’s cinematic history and her own highly personal cinematography. This is a poignant insider’s view of an unheralded Australian pioneer. Lilias’s trailblazing career begins in 1957 with her first film on the shores of Moreton Bay. Her films are infused with an upbeat optimism as she seeks to uplift people through her art. She becomes a leader in Australia's nation-building film industry of the 60s and makes one of Australia's first land rights films. By the 1980s, unbeknownst to Lilias, she’s become a feminist role model. She revisits the mining towns to look afresh at the women who struggle to survive in them. Meanwhile, her daughter has picked up a camera and become a cinematographer. She takes up where Lilias left off.
Post-production / Pat Fiske
When the Camera Stopped Rolling
A poignant insider’s story of an unheralded Australian film pioneer told through a moving and poetic meditation.
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Impact areas
Crew
DIRECTOR Jane Castle
PRODUCER Pat Fiske
Synopsis
DURATION: 80 MINUTES
Support this project
$240,000.00
FUNDING GOAL$169,330.00
FUNDS RAISED105
SUPPORTERS
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Issue Summary
A short summary of the issue the documentary is addressing
This film will have a focus on families, relationships, mother-daughter issues, grief and loss, trauma and recovery. By airing these often difficult to talk about issues, the film stimulate critical dialogue and become and in-depth resource. It will offer a vital educational tool for organisations focused on bereavement, family issues, women's issues, Australia’s cultural history, creativity and the arts. Lilias Fraser is virtually unheard of in Australia. This film will establish her place in Australia's cinematic history. The intimate story provides an insider’s view of the emotional reality of issues affecting many women and families. We will have webisodes available on topics such as: ‘Equal Work’; ‘Mothers and Daughters’; ‘Grief and Bereavement’; and ‘Healing through Storytelling"
Impact
What is the impact vision statement of the documentary?
The film's two strong, positive female role models overcome gender barriers to succeed in strongly male-dominated areas. This will help women and girls to know that they can also break through. The film's compassionate investigation of a complex mother-daughter relationship and its healing/resolution demonstrates that positive outcomes are possible for others. This has the potential to affect transformation and improved social outcomes for women on a broad scale.
Outcomes
What outcomes does the project hope to achieve from making this documentary?
There is great power in the honest, open telling of one’s own story by those who have experienced – and recovered from - trauma. We hope that the film will encourage others to do the same and stimulate the open discussion of issues relating not only to trauma and recovery, but also to motherhood and parenting, family systems, family violence, women and work, and addiction.
Stakeholders
How will partnerships with this project help inform the project development?
We are in the process of gathering ideas for partnerships now that the film is nearly completed. The Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria is a partner and have donated funds.
Audience Engagement and Social Impact
What actions does this project hope for its viewers after seeing this film?
We hope that viewers will be motivated and inspired to explore their own family relationships, to address issues that may need to be addressed, and to become aware of other family units that may need support. We also hope that viewers will recognise the importance of trauma recovery support organisations and support them in a range of actions.
Measurement and Evaluation
What is the projects indicators for success?
Our indicators for success are: an increase in public discourse about trauma and recovery, intergenerational trauma and family relationships; and an increase in the disclosure of personal stories by those who have seen the film or heard about it. We will know we have achieved our impact vision when the film is screened at a large range of festivals, cinemas and community events.