Empathy Into Action. The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) opens with the 2014 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film 'Rich Hill'.
Director Tracy Droz Tragos’s documentary explores the challenges three adolescent boys face growing up in a deteriorating Missouri mining town. As the boys navigate the hardships of poverty, broken families and mental illness, along with the regular challenges of being a teenager, their belief in a brighter future makes this an extraordinarily moving film.
How did this project come about?
My collaborator and first cousin were discussing our family hometown.
What motivates you to create a film this?
The struggle of families and young people that do not have a voice
What response would you like from the audience after they've seen it?
A feeling of empathy turned to action.
Best life advice you've been given?
If you're going to make a mistake, make it a beauty.
What do you love most about film?
That they are “empathy machines” (Roger Ebert). The power to be moved on a deep emotional level and go to far away places (and times in history) that I might never be able to otherwise.
If you could share just one piece of wisdom with the world, what would it be?
We are all very similar in the most basic and important levels — be compassionate.
Funniest/ craziest/ weirdest moment while shooting the film was…?
So many — we loved being with the families in the film, despite the struggles. Impossible to reduce it to one. I still smile when I think of one of the boys in our film giving it a “30 out of 4 stars”.
Human Rights Film Festival
May 27-31 SydneyMay 29-31 Alice Springs
June 3-5 Perth
June 3-5 Canberra
June 3-5 Brisbane
August 16-17 Darwin
