“MINE”
What if the best solution to climate change is to get humans to love nature? To love life? Because if you love something or someone, you might be more inclined to care for them.
ABOUT THE FILM
Too often we look at things as if they emerge in isolation. We fail to see that everything connects to everything else. We look at mental health from a one dimensional lens, not looking deep enough at the conditions that bind. We look at environmental destruction, failing to see that it is inherent in a system that promotes maximum profits. The more we call for specialisation, the more we miss the things that link. The more we praise individualism, the more we reject interdependence and community. In the process it becomes only natural that ecosystems and human well-being be compromised.
Mine is an adventure documentary meets environmental call to arms, that skilfully connects the dots between the emergence of “mine” culture and the impact of mining and money on the Hunter Region (and far beyond). Follow two men, author Evan Sutter and his builder brother Jarrod, stand up paddle board down the majestic but at risk Hunter River 350km to the Pacific Ocean. As the brothers embark on the challenging paddle from the mountains to the ocean, see never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with concerned locals, expert water scientists, children, environmentalists, politicians, and indigenous elders impacted by the rapidly changing landscapes and ideologies.
Follow the brother’s as they retrace their heritage to an old army base turned refugee camp, home to their father upon his arrival from Germany in the early 1950’s. See as they track the beginnings of mining in the area, of failed policies and political mistruths. Learn about the area’s two great exports and the impact of the Hunter’s mines on the Hunter’s wines. (Re)strap on your face mask as the brother’s dive into the effect of the mines and “mine” culture on the health of all living beings and on the river that connects them all together.
Physically challenging, intellectually eye opening, and visually stunning, the brother’s river paddle is thought-provoking, inspiring, entertaining, and outrageously important. How can we balance our pursuit of wealth with looking after the beauty of our wild places? Can choosing experiences over things help bring everything back into balance? Can showing our young ones the immense beauty of nature be the best defence in the fight against climate change? Can rethinking our relationship with work, health, family, love, consumerism, money and power help us to lead more meaningful and enjoyable lives?
ABOUT THE IMPACT
The plan is to embark on a wide ranging and deeply interconnected campaign to inform and inspire. In partnership with environmental and community organisations we’re inviting artists to join us on the adventure. Their experiences and perspectives will help form thought-provoking and highly interactive events across Australia. For example, a painter might create a piece from a beautiful landscape along the river, a photographer capture a local family, or a poet find a way to share a unique viewpoint. Alongside live music, talks, and the feature screening, this will help to drive further discussion, inspire ongoing action and raise more funds for grassroots initiatives. The Mine documentary will be the centrepiece of a campaign that aims to plant seeds for thought and change, undertaken in collaboration with a whole range of stakeholders to illustrate the importance of connection, community, commitment, and play.
ABOUT THE TEAM
James Nightingale | Director | Hostages To Fortune | Breaking Ice (Best Australian Short Documentary at The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival) | Piggy
Dr Thava Palanisami | Associate Professor | Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme-Operations Committee |
Guest Editor, Environmental Pollution Journal | Technical Committee-CleanUp Australia
Daniel Randall | Line Producer & 1st AD
Brianna McCarthy | First Nations Consultant
Evan Sutter | Writer | Producer | Principal Cast | 3xAuthor | 2xFounder | Keynote Speaker
Jarrod Sutter | Principal Cast
Nathan Sutter | Co-Producer | Cast
Emily Dowswell | Writer and Researcher
Steve Macdonald | Head of Finance | Founder of MODA
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sarah Manuel | Photographer
Hendrix Sutter | Painter
More announcements coming soon
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
Environmental Plastic Innovation Cluster (EPIC)
More collaborations on the way.
