Filmmakers and co-directors, Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro, joined me to discuss their feature-length documentary, ‘A Fire Inside’.

TRIGGER WARNING: Topics discussed include the devastating effects of the 2019-20 bushfires that decimated Australia. Including discussing the resultant loss of lives, human and animal, and property, along with mental health/PTSD issues.

Topics discussed include:

- How Luke and Justin went about the making of the film – compiling so much unbelievable, apocalyptic footage, with stories, both heartbreaking and uplifting, of survivors and members of these ravaged communities.

- The disparate people that are every-day Australians that go into these hellish scenes to save lives. How some do this for a very Australian reason - ‘it’s what we do’.

- How heroes don’t just wear uniforms, extending beyond the volunteer fighters, to all other members of the community featured, all the selfless acts of altruism they did – and still do, for other members of their community.

- Australia’s collective response to the efforts of these volunteer firefighters – phones never stopping ringing, so many donations people can’t move – the outpouring of assistance and kindness. How for every 1 person caught looting, there’s 9-10 more that are helping any way they can.

- The changing of one emergency to another - from when the rains came and the fires ended, to when mental health/PTSD issues arise and continue to affect community members/volunteer firefighters. How the nation’s attitude has changed over the years – to that of, ‘it’s ok, to not be ok’.

- Hope – lasting (and realistic) hope – how one person can truly make a difference.

Be sure to see ‘A Fire Inside’ at the Sydney Film Festival:

https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/a-fire-inside

Check out Finch Films, and their works, including ‘A Fire Inside’:

https://www.finchcompany.com/production/a-fire-inside-feature-documentary/