GREY POWER - Documentary
Director: LARA VAN RAAY
Sometimes the best way to fight depression, anxiety and guilt is by getting active. Or for some - it’s by getting arrested. Meet four of Tasmania’s retired professionals who are making noise about issues close to their hearts; proving that getting older doesn’t always mean staying safe or slipping into invisibility. In fact, sometimes, it can bring with it great power.
Director statement:
One of the main things I wanted to do with this film was highlight how many fantastic older people are out there, standing up for serious causes and putting themselves on the line. One person I met years ago said “I have no mortgage, I have no kids at home, I am retired - if I can’t get out there and protest, then who can?” This really struck me and is counter to the boomer stereotype out there.
This film is the tip of the iceberg highlighting the wonderful older people dedicated to making this world a better place. It is a homage to them, and to having the courage and conviction to go way out of your comfort zone and take action, in the face of anxiety, depression and guilt. These emotions can overwhelm and the antidote is to do something - anything, and this film is about that.
The technique used to make the film is to interview in audio first off, to get an authentic and cost effective base story. Then once the audio is edited, to then write a shooting script to go along with that. It’s not my usual conventional way of making films, but it’s fun to play around with not having anyone address camera directly.
I got to work with some great cinematographers with this film and pulled in resources from a lot of the filmmaking community. I also got to work with some fabulous artists to make the music - which I absolutely loved.
That’s filmmaking at its best - loads of people working together - and uplifting unheard voices in the process.