FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LIFE, 33min., Australia
Directed by Johnny Abegg
A Son deep dives into a period of grief after losing his Father, whilst his Mum recounts the life he never got to share. Through introspection he resurfaces knowing where to find him.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

When my Dad died over three years ago, I was drawn to honour the life he never got to share. I was also intrigued by the grief I was feeling, and thus took an introspective approach to explore the complex narratives and emotions that grief brings up, combining this journey with my Mother re-telling 'fragments' of Dad's story. Filmmaking for me is like keeping a journal of pivitol points in my life through a visual medium. I also found motivation in the fact that men often keep their emotions repressed, which my Dad often did, and 'Fragments of a Half Life' was a way of me to express my own feelings, and hopefully allow others to express their own through watching the film.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

To make Fragments of a Half Life, it took 3 years. Initially I was just writing a lot about the feelings that came up grieving my Father. Then I could see the foundations of a script coming to life, but wanted to make quite an abstract film, a reflection of how grief is. It was a solo pursuit, having Directed/Produced/Edited the film myself. I found the film took longer to make than I anticipated, as so much of it I was experiencing I was putting into the film, so I had to walk away many times to find clarity. An odd way to grieve one might say haha.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Life. Death.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I found re-living the grief over and over again was one of the hardest parts in making Fragments of a Half Life. Some sequences in the film I'd cry over and over again, because it was still so raw and real. I'd be living the experience, then re-living it through the editing/filmmaking process. However there was a healing to the creative journey, and once I'd finished the film I found I could move on and embrace life at a deeper level, having delved so deep with my Father's death.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

The audience feedback was amazing. Really diverse, inspiring and interesting. I didn't think the film would engage an audience outside of family and friends here in Australia, so to recieve such positive feedback has been really encouraging. It's left me inspired to push the film out there further...

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

In my mid 20's I was an aspiring pro-surfer travelling around the globe. I was accumilating a big credit card debt (over $20k) pursuing the surfing dream. I was really struggling to make it, as were so many others trying to make it as a pro surfer. At the time I had this 'light bulb moment' to buy a handycam and document the trails and tribulations myself and others were experiencing. The culmination of it was me getting home and teaching myself how to edit, and made my first film called On Credit. The filmmaking realisation sort of came from having a story to tell before actually knowing how to make a movie!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Teen Wolf. The original Michael J Fox film. I love that high school love story, getting infatuated by the popular girl and his own popularity as the Wolf. Then coming back to himself and the love he has for his best friend Booth. Also the complexities of puberty and navigating ones emotions.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think the Toronto/Los Angeles Documentary Feature & Short Festival is doing an incredible job at offering a wonderful tiered experience with virtual and live experiences, the audience feedback video, and the amazing communication. It's a great blueprint for other festivals. I actually love the diversity in film festivals these days, and the boundaries being pushed on subject matter.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It's been amazing. Having one place to discover festivals, and also having all filmmaker assets in the one place makes the process so smooth and more affordable.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Shephards Pie (Potato, Mince, Carrot, Onion, cheese).

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I think give Fragments of a Half Life a good go at getting it out there. I'd love to do a fusion project between music production/soundtracking and emotive visual storytelling.