Before I Go is a short film that looks at three generations of one family in country Australia, examining issues surrounding male mental health in rural areas. This is the second film produced by Australian content production company, The Act of Storytelling (TAOS). The company was originally founded by creative professionals, Lauren Bailey and Nick Cain, in 2013 with the aim of investigating storytellers and storytelling, and the impact of art in challenging the human experience.
“The issue of male mental health in rural areas has been a silent killer, and one that is becoming increasingly crucial to discuss. The conversations raised by stories such as this one need to be happening at both a personal and community level with a view to changing the way we all support each other.” – Lauren Bailey & Nick Cain.
Bailey and Cain initially created and developed the film, bringing on board a fantastic cast and crew, including Director, Mika Tran (TwentySomethingABC 2/Highwire Films, No More ShameThe Reach Foundation/Fiesta Clan), and AACTA nominatedCinematographer, Jaque Fisher (It’s People Like UsDir. Eva Orner, White Lotus& 50 Kisses).
Cast credits include Chopper, Neighbours, Home and Away, House Husbands,Conspiracy 365, Dr. Blakes Murder Mysteries and more, including David Ross Paterson (The Revenant, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and young Maisy Lester Bryant in the Melbourne Arts Centre’s upcoming season of Evita the Musical.
Shot in the beautiful surrounds of Cain’s hometown, the twin towns Koondrook/Barham along the Murray River, every step during the creation of the film has been focused both on breaking down gender rigidity and including a diverse range of creatives at all levels, including a cast and crew of 50% female/male roles, behind the scenes as well as in the film narrative itself.
The film is currently in post-production and has plans for global release ‘In Competition’ at Cannes Film Festival in France in 2019. TAOS is currently also working with the local community and organisations to begin igniting conversations and awareness via a local screening late 2019.