We had pre-planned the topics we wanted Marion to cover and the locations we would use.
I left the house in which I was staying at about 03.45 with great expectations. We arrived in York at 06.00 and were filming up on Wongborrell Hill overlooking the town at 06.45. It was freezing! How Marion managed to talk without showing how cold she was, I'll never know?
We then headed out to the outskirts of York to shoot some scenery and have a snack. Boy oh boy, had Marion and Mike provided a feast. It was wonderful... and there was more to come!
Then down to the river where Marion talked about her early life and told us Ruby's very moving Story. She also talked about The Sandie and how white people used to take Aboriginal bodies and de-bone them near the old hospital on another part of the river. This part of our filming was very moving for me and I could really feel Marion's emotions.
We had an amazing lunch at Marion's old school and she talked on camera about her experiences there and during her nursing days.
We then continued to the native reserve where Marion spent the first ten years of her life. This reserve was located a few miles out of town and was now only grass and trees. Despite this, it was clear that Mation could vividly picture the reserve as it was all those years ago.
Marion was tiring by this stage, which was no wonder. She'd been talking on camera for hours, trying to ensure that she covered the topics I wanted her to cover. She must be some kind of super woman, as we didn't wrap up with her until 16.00. That's a lot of camera work for one day.
Mike and I continued to film some locations around York and we drove off at a time the light was awesome. We saw some incredible scenes on the drive out of town. Arrived back home around 21.00 so it was a long day, but a brilliant one.
I learnt so much from this day and I was greatly moved by a lot that Marion had to say. I know Mike was as well.
Of course, that was only the initial part of the film-making. There was a lot of film to work through and edit into relevant clips. Mike and I were really happy that we managed to get over 70 minutes of film clips, which you can see as Marion's Film Story.
The clip above is one of my favourites. The scenery is stunning and I think Mike did a real good job showing it off. I love Marion talking about how her country and Dreaming Stopries form a strong part of her identity. And also about her having a strong sense of belonging.
From my addiction recovery work over the years, it is clear that a positive identity and a sense of belonging play a key part in recovery and healing.
I can't wait for the day we do more filming with Marion. Hope you enjoy the clip above and any others you might look at on Marion's Film Story.