The story behind the Bentley Blockade, which effectively chased the coal-seam gas industry out of the northern rivers, will be the centrepiece film at the upcoming Byron Bay Film Festival’s 10th closing gala on October 22 .
The Bentley Effect is a poignant, personal, and powerful feature documentary chronicling the rise of the social movement against unconventional gas mining in the Northern Rivers region of Australia will be hitting our cinema screens later this month.
It will launch officially in Lismore the following week for the hundreds of local supporters to enjoy, and then roll out across the region and beyond.
Five and a half years in the making, The Bentley Effect tells the story of our community’s heroic stand and shows how strategic direct action and peaceful protest can overcome corporate malfeasance and political might.
The film is an epic tale following the journey of protectors from when they first hear news of coal seam gas through to the protests at Glenugie, Doubtful Creek and culminating in the Bentley Blockade.
The film is dotted with moments of humour to lighten more poignant and powerful moments as the film’s main characters journey through the highs and lows of the battle to save the Northern Rivers.
When asked about the experience of making the film, producer/director, Brendan Shoebridge says: ‘It has been an incredible honour to be trusted with this heroic tale and to get so much great support from the community – but it’s been a real marathon and a big responsibility.
‘Documenting a social movement means lots of events, lots of characters, lots of footage and lots of stakeholders.
It also involved generous contributions from other local film makers, including David Lowe who is also working on a series of films about the local issue.’
‘The subject matter was extremely complex so the film has to work on many levels.
‘I sincerely hope I have done justice to this amazing story – that it somehow captures the magic and preserves it well,’ says Mr Shoebridge
The Bentley Effect will screen on Saturday 22 October at 7.30pm as part of the BBFF’s closing night celebrations at the Byron Community Centre.
