Doc Edge Festival 2023: NZ Shorts 1

Four Short Films

Big Kids
Daniel Mulholland, a master-builder uses LEGO to reshape his life after being diagnosed with PTSD. The film highlights the relationship between mental health and a simple act of kindness, showing how something as small as a plastic brick can be life-changing for oneself and others.

OHMS! Protest! A Celebration of Resistance
The film highlights the New Zealand student-led movement against compulsory military training during the Vietnam War. Led by 19-year-old Robert Reid, it brought together activists and diverse communities in a historic protest. Featuring interviews with those involved it is a reminder of the power of activism and ordinary people standing up for what they believe in.

Strange Beasts
The film explores the rise and fall of Australia's Bacchus Marsh Lion Safari, through the eyes of big cat keeper Ron Prendergast. It uncovers the park's mysterious history and folklore, from its boom to its closure, revealing the consequences of unchecked power. A captivating exploration of human nature, ambition, and the human desire to control nature.

Visiting Ben Shemen
In this innovative animated film, director Harris tells her mother's story and that of two other Jewish women who first met in 1946 at the Ben Shemen School in Israel, exploring their personal histories of love, loss, and survival through intimate interviews and mixed media techniques, resulting in a powerful and moving portrait of three women.