BBFF2022 Meet the Filmmaker: Eddy Bell
Giants
While empathising with traditional Australian farmers caught between debt and devastation, Eddy Bell points a hard finger at the influential public figures who deny climate change. In this poignant and beautifully shot film, Eddy’s omnipresent giants – part of the Kaputar mountain range – serve as his call to action for modern approaches to sustainable farming.
We had a chat to Eddy Bell about the process of making ‘giants’ and his experience about bringing this story to life.
Screening at Byron Theatre
Saturday 22 October at 2:30pm with Every Koala Counts
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How did you come to discover the story in your film, where did it develop from?
I took a weekend trip to a polocrosse event in Narrabri, New South Wales. It became an 18-month journey with a farming family facing the harsh reality of unrelenting drought. Where we witnessed their luscious green landscape evolve into an arid dust bowl, this resulted in my short film ‘Giants’.
Have you always wanted to be a filmmaker?
I was a little lost as a teenager to be honest, and I fell into filmmaking as a bit of a misfit in my early 20s. I guess like a lot of people who run away to the circus! I found myself on a film as a runner and just felt like I found my people. Eventually I made a short film and discovered I had a voice. Ever since then filmmaking has given me the opportunity to learn more about the world I live in and my place in it. For a young man, who has always struggled with feelings of self worth, it's ended up being a super important process for me.
As a filmmaker what is your favourite memory you had in the process of creating this film?
On Saturday before daybreak, four of us (a small crew) loaded gear into two cars and drove seven hours north west to arrive smack in the middle of a polocrosse event. It was a director’s worst nightmare. “You arrive at the location, everyone gets out of the car and says: So, what are we doing? You say: I don’t know. I’m just going to walk around a bit and make a plan.” In the commotion Eddy found Stegs. “Stegs is wrangling people to be in the film for us. We’re asking him: Can we borrow that person’s Land Cruiser? Can we have a horse? Do you mind doing some polocrosse in the background? Before you know it, we’ve got this scene in the middle of this public event!”
Why do you think short films are an important medium to explore creativity through?
Shorts are a great place to develop your confidence and your voice. They are so hard to make because it's all on the core team, so I think you really are throwing yourself in the deep end.
Part of the filmmaking process is you will face challenges, how did you overcome these especially with filming in unpredictable elements?
Self doubt is always the biggest challenge.
What is next for you in the future?
I have 7 long form concepts in different stages that I am involved in. Some I'm producing, some I'm directing, some I'm writing. I'm excited about collaborating with lots of other filmmakers in the future. And, I think we might actually be basing a little production company out of Yamba.
What is your biggest creative influence on your filmmaking style?
TBH, I'm not big on referencing other film styles. I know that's a bit weird but the process of discovery throughout development and making the film, leads to its own film style. I was blown away by Natalie Erika James' 'Relic' the other day because her ending is so unique. 'Belfast' was my favourite film of last year, just because it just had such a lovely sense of itself.
What is a piece of advice you can give to all aspiring filmmakers?
Everything that's ever happened to you in your whole life will contribute to your process and style. Don't force someone else's style upon yourself. And, be kind to yourself.
