‘Kialla’
Kialla the organic property
Produced, Directed and written by André Castaldi this independently produced documentary is at rough cut stage. The documentary was filmed over several years on location in south eastern Queensland on an organic farm. Here are three excerpts from the rough cut of the One-hour documentary.
The first clip is the is from the opening minutes and sets up the stroy of Ben coming to work on his Uncle and Aunty’s organic farm.
In the second clip Graham reflects on the Memorial Ute show held in honor of his son who died in a crash in his ute.
In the final clip the drought has intensified and work has come to a standstill on the farm for Ben.
One-hour documentary
Short Synopsis
A year after the death of their adopted son Andrew and his fiancée Ruth in an crash in their ute, organic farmers Sandy and Graham McNally invite their nephew Ben to work and live on their farm. Just out of high school, Ben wants to be a farmer and the chance to work on the farm will help him gain entry into University. Ben falls in with his deceased cousin’s social network, joining the local ute club. Ben’s presence on the farm brings back painful memories for Sandy and Graham, whilst he provides some practical relief as he assists in the day-to-day running of the farm in an intensifying drought. Over the coming months Ben will be decide on his career path whilst Sandy and Graham face their grief and challenges to the future of their farm.
Ben Bjarnesen working on the organic farm
Synopsis
Recent school leaver, Ben, has come to work on his Aunt Sandy and Uncle Graham’s organic farm, ‘Kialla’. The farm, and surrounding region, is in the grip of the worst drought in living memory. Sandy and Graham lost their adopted son Andrew and his fiancée Ruth, in a car crash one year ago. Although Ben’s presence on the farm brings back painful memories for Sandy and Graham, he provides some practical relief in tough times as he assists in the day-to-day running of the farm. Ben hopes one year of experience on the farm will help him qualify for an Agribusiness degree.
Filmmaker Andre Castaldi interviews Sandy
Ben falls in with the same social network as his deceased cousin, the local Ute Club ‘Team Feeda’. The club holds a memorial ute show in honour of Andrew and Ruth. Ben works as the promotions officer for the club and helps set up and run the ute show. Sandy, Graham, Georgia, Andrew’s sister, as well as Ruth’s mum Dawn, all participate in the show as judges and sponsors. In the course of holding the show, Ben, Sandy, Georgia and Graham come face to face with their grief and the alcohol fuelled social network that surrounded Andrew at the time of his death.
Returning to work on the farm, Ben has to quit the club, as he can’t keep up with his duties on the farm. The drought intensifies, crops fail and stock numbers are reduced. Ben must resort to packing bags in the flourmill.
Filmmaker Andre Castaldi filming Ben at the Ute Show
Feeling he has gained everything he can from his time on the farm, Ben decides to return to work in the city as a barman. Ben’s presence on the farm has helped the family cope with the grief of losing their son and sibling.
One year on, unable to stop a development to build powerlines over their organic property, Sandy and Graham have decided to sell the farm. They hold a clearing sale to auction off unneeded equipment and possessions. Ben comes to the farm one last time to help his Aunt and Uncle with the clearing sale. Over a busy Saturday, people come from far and wide to see if they can grab a bargain at the auction. Sandy and Graham are heartbroken as they prepare to leave their home and business of almost thirty years.
Filmmaker’s Statement
Ben with Georgia and Sandy on Kialla.
‘Kialla’ examines the fabric that binds a family and a community who are coping with grief and the extreme environmental, social and economic pressures of a drought. In making this film I wanted to explore some of the ways that individuals and communities manage hardship and how they rise above impossible circumstances to just get on with their lives. The style of the film is observational. The documentary explores some of the rhythms of running a farm and the social, historical and economic context as experienced by the principal characters.