Coromandel Watchdog Hosts Multi-award Winning Documentary and Director
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki are very excited to be hosting the Director/Producer of multi award winning film The
Bentley Effect in Whitianga on September 29th.
The Bentley Effect is a poignant, personal and powerful feature documentary chronicling the rise of the inspirational
social movement against unconventional gas mining in the Northern Rivers region of Australia. The film is not just the
story of a social movement however. Weaved throughout the commentary is a much broader discussion about the current
political climate.
Brendan Shoebridge, director of the film says “The struggle against invasive gas mining may be the vehicle for this
story and it’s certainly a conversation that needs elevating - but really this film is more about community and what our
communities can achieve when they stand together for a common cause. With so much hanging delicately in the balance it
is ultimately altruism and the connection to our true wealth - air, land, water and each other - that we see emerging as
the key ingredients to this timely story. For me it is a true life ‘Lord of the Rings’ tale showcasing a rare and
precious win – a movement that many people now see as a major turning point in the battle for a safe clean future. It’s
a story that simply had to be told and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with New Zealand audiences.”
The film was made over 6 years in the making and has won a number of international film awards including Best
Documentary at the Planet Barcelona Film Festival and the Moondance International Film Festival, BBIFF’s Byron Film
Award, the Activist Award at Earth Day Film Festival, the Audience Award at Something Somewhere Film Festival and Awards
of Excellence and Special Mentions at this years Impact Doc Awards and the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.
Augusta Macassey-Pickard of Coromandel Watchdog says that the groups is very honoured to be hosting the film on the
Coromandel. “ We are so pleased to be able to help to bring this story to the communities of the Peninsula – and feel
very lucky that at this screening we will have Brendan and others on hand for a q+a afterward. With all that is
happening here with gold exploration, with the bureaucracy, with the whole ‘David and Goliath’ nature of a community
going up against a mining company, this story is one that we feel that our communities need to see; it is uplifting, a
story of inspiration and hope, of a united community. People working together for their love of the land, plain and
simple – not about your politics, your religion, your bank balance. Just about loving your land.”
ENDS