Meet The Filmmakers - Johnny Abegg
Fragments of a Half Life
We got to talk to the writer, director, editor, and star Johnny Abbegg about the film Fragments of a Half Life
Screening at The Palace Byron Bay
Sunday 20 October at 7:30pm
Screens with Byron Premiere of Walkabout: The Songlines of Surfing
Saturday 26 October at 4pm
Special Encore Screening with Walkabout: The Songlines of Surfing
Buy Tickets
As we approach the Byron Bay Film Festival 2024, excitement builds for the premiere of Fragments of a Half Life, Johnny Abegg's deeply introspective film. In this abstract journey, Abegg explores the profound grief he feels after his father’s death. Rather than drowning in sorrow, he surrenders to the complexity of grief, discovering that through embracing loss, he can live a deeper, more meaningful life. Through his mother’s recounts and his own reflections, Johnny navigates the intricate relationship between father and son, finding solace in life’s impermanence.
How did you come to create and discover the story in your film? Was there someone who inspired you or something you experienced that sparked the idea?
In August 2021, my Father passed away after a long term suffering from Dementia, Parkinsons and Heart problems. My mum really wanted me to make something to honour my Dad's life, and as a process of dealing with the grief, I wanted to create something visually. It's always been my way of dealing with bigger emotions, using film as the medium, almost like a visual journal in a way. The film explores the different levels of grief, a topic that often goes by unspoken.
Have you always wanted to be a filmmaker? What path lead you to filmmaking?
I wouldn't say I wanted to be a filmmaker, it sort of found me. My Dad used to film us surfing all the time, and we would dub his recordings onto VHS. Then in 2015 I was competing on the World Surfing Circuit, struggling financially as a wannabe pro surfer. I was already 20k in debt and thought, "I should buy a handicam". So I ended up documenting the unseen side of pro surfing, and made my first film, "On Credit". I was self taught, didn't know how to do any of the stages of making a movie, but that decision took me into filmmaking.
Can you tell us a bit about your film and what inspired you to create it?
"Fragments of a Half Life" is an abstract journey that I took upon myself, that delves into the profound loss of losing my father, and dives deep into the complex emotions of grief.
At first I was just writing a journal, but over time I found there was a film in that process. I was intrigued by the complexity of grief, and rather than drowning in death, I found that surrendering to the emotions took me closer to living a deeper and more meaningful life.
I felt the grief journey worked well with my Mum's recount of the life Dad never shared, this was part of the inspiration to make the film, Dad lived an interestinglife - so in a way both Mum and I found healing out of the journey.
The tagline for BBFF2024 is ‘Visions in Motion’. How does your film align with this theme, if at all?
I feel it does. I've purposly wanted to not create a standard 'talking head' style documentary, letting the vision and images in motion portray both story and emotion.
What message or emotions do you hope your film conveys to the audience?
I'm hoping by expressing and exposing truths about my own journey with grief, that others see themselves in my story. I hope that the film makes people feel more comfortable with the topic of death, with themselves, and realise that life is short.
Many filmmakers have a unique style or signature in their work. What elements or aspects of your filmmaking style can audiences expect to see in your film?
My style has evolved over time. But as I grow older, I feel it's better to say less in a film than more. I find this film has been an expression for me in de-structuring my filmmaking journey to date, allowing the images and music to say more, while I say less.
Did you face any challenges when making or developing it and if so how did you over come them...?
The biggest challenge was reliving parts of grief that I'd moved on from. Constantly diping into your own wounds, into the past, at times I feel was detremental to my healing. I think that's the reason it took me 3 years to complete, I couldn't make too much of the film at once, as it was too emotionally triggering, but at the same time, forcing yourself to relive the past, there was so much growth in that process.
Collaborative efforts often play a significant role in filmmaking. Could you share some insights into the teamwork and collaborations that contributed to the success of your film?
I wish I was a better collaborator, but this film was so deeply personal I couldn't do it with anyone else. My Wife and Mum were the only two I was able to bounce off. It's a one man filmmaking band this one.
Could you share a memorable behind-the-scenes moment while filming that you think the audience would find interesting or amusing?
Hmmm, maybe me sitting in a random hotel room editing in Coffs Harbour whilst my car was being serviced, because at home with three kids, it's hard to get into an emotional head space to tackle the subject of grief.
Have you got any connections to Byron Bay? If not have you got any pre-conceptions about Byron?
I moved to Byron when I was 15. I'm now 44 and Cavanbah (the aboriginal name for Byron Bay) is home. It's changed a lot, and is constantly, but it's home.
Why did you want to be part of BBFF2024?
I really wanted to start at home with my film, and take a different direction with it. The subject matter too made me want to give 'Fragments of a Half Life' it's first showing with BBFF2024, to honour where I'm from, but also to be part of what's become a prestigious film festival.
What advice would you offer to aspiring Filmmakers to help them get their films recognised and selected by festivals like BBFF?
My advice has always been story. If you have a good story, just tell that story. Doesn't matter what it's shot on, how many people you think you need to make it happen... just make it happen. It starts with you, and everyone has a story.
"Film festivals often provide opportunities for filmmakers to connect with their audience directly. What are you most looking forward to in terms of audience reactions and engagement during your screening at BBFF, and how do you think this interaction can enhance your filmmaking experience?
I'm hoping that by exposing my journey with grief, it helps others be more comfortable with their own. It's been such an insular journey for me, a hard one navigating the topic of grief, but it's also a joyful one when you reach the other side. It makes you a more understanding person. So if I get even a couple people feeling more confortable about death, grief, life, and go home and give their family a hug... I'll be stoked!
