Trailer

When Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires horrified the world, the selfless acts of everyday Aussies inspired us all. But the triple whammy of drought, fire and pandemic has taken an astounding toll.

On NSW’s far south coast, on the first day of the inferno, firefighter Nathan Barnden saved seven strangers but lost his uncle and cousin. He kept working throughout the 200-day emergency – there was little time to grieve. In the Southern Highlands, the selfless actions of RFS captain Brendan O’Connor and his crew saved his community. In the aftermath others are rebuilding their homes; he’s trying to rebuild his life. Australia’s 2019-20 bushfire season was unprecedented. But just as communities started on the long road to recovery, the pandemic emerged. Directors Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro interview volunteers, farmers, publicans and pensioners, uncovering stories of devastating heartbreak but also of astonishing resilience.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
Justin Krook is a Grammy-nominated documentary filmmaker, best known for his two feature documentaries Machine and I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

Luke Mazzaferro is a filmmaker known for the feature documentary Machine and Aussie feature Red Hill.