After a quick nod to three outspoken war-related public right-to-know advocates – Australian war crime whistleblower David McBride, John Shipton the father of Julian Assange, and Greens senator David Shoebridge – this drama aims to capture some of their actions, by extending their stories and bringing them home to a regional Australian community. In doing so, it is hoped there is better understanding about why we should continue to support them.
( Packing room staff holding up our Archibald 2024 moving-image linked portrait entry whilst querying our non-selection )
The larger film, currently being edited, explores the complexity for artists trying to use the art field to gain political traction for those individuals who have put their lives at risk by exposing government lies and crimes. It also shows the ripple effects of exposing information in the public interest, which in many cases can end up touching and improving the lives of us all. For example, in this short film Wendy Sandilands sits with her daughter Georgie Pollard who has lost her partner Alex Wisser. Wendy is the daughter of the former James Hardie management whistleblower who revealed information about the dangers of asbestos to an ABC journalist and director in 1977.
Artist gallery-goers Leahlani Johnson and Christine McMillan also appear in the film.