Films | Andrew Garton

Forged from Fire tells the story of how an Australian and international community of blacksmiths, welders, artists and volunteers responded to the devastating Black Saturday bush-fires by creating perhaps the most ambitious public artwork and memorial in Australia – a three tonne, 9.8 meter tall stainless steel and copper gum tree – The Blacksmiths’ Tree.

WATCH Forged from Fire

Background

On Black Saturday, 7 February 2009, townships north-east of Melbourne were threatened by firestorms. Considered Australia’s worst ever natural disaster it resulted in the highest loss of life and injuries from a bushfire in Australia. The conditions in which the fires were ignited and burnt were extreme. After the horror of immediate losses, people had naturally embarked on various journeys of repair and recovery. The Blacksmiths’ Tree was one of them.

A selection of screenshots from Forged from Fire.

Media coverage, reviews and interviews

FORGED FROM FIRE: THE ANDREW GARTON INTERVIEW
Publication: Screen Space

Interview – Andrew Garton, Director, Forged from Fire
Publication: We Are Moving Stories

Docs Factor reviews Forged from Fire
Publication: The Docs Factor Podcast

A TOUCHING LOOK AT AN AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDY
Publication: Switch

Cinema Australia Podcast Episode #36 | Andrew Garton
Publication: Cinema Australia

Top 5 films to see at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
Publication: Follow Magazine

Info

Duration: 58 minutes
Completed: 2019
Licencing: Write to Andrew Garton for screening and/or site licences.
Forged from Fire website
Forged from Fire on Facebook
Purchase limited edition Forged from Fire DVD

Crew

Writer / Director – Andrew Garton
Director of Photography – Mike Wilkin
Music – Invention in Time, Charles Brown, Ron McIntyre, Andrew Garton
Aerial footage courtesy of I-Drone, Brett Chilton and Michael Prinzi
Videography courtesy of Warwick Page
Time-lapse footage courtesy of Barry Thomas

Financed with the assistance of Documentary Australia Foundation

UP

The Smart Village of Chandauli

In 2014 Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg visited the village of Chandauli. It was said to be the first digitally literate village in India. What does a digitally literate village look like and what do digitally literate villagers do there?

Duration: 11:09 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

A talking drum finds refuge on the Internet

Twenty generations of the Khan family have played the Bhapang or ‘talking drum’, but their music and poetry are in decline. The rapid urbanisation of their village has seen a decline in their music and poetry. Few remain who can transfer the songs of their ancestors to forthcoming generations. But they have found refuge for the culture on the Internet.

Duration: 13:25 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

Weaving a Social Enterprise

The ancient city of Chanderi, India, is home to four and a half-thousand cloth weavers. The city is consumed by the sound of looms. In a 15th century palace, a small group of weavers are breaking from tradition.

Duration: 27:52 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

A Challenge is a Joy

By August 2016 more than 170, Community Information Resource Centres were operating in 80 districts within 22 states in India. They provide Internet access where only radio has ever reached. Some of these centres are reaching beyond caste in spite of geographical and cultural challenges.

Duration: 39:37 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.