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A Fire Inside, directors Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro

A Fire Inside

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North American Premiere

During Australia’s apocalyptic bushfires in the Black Summer of 2019-2020, unprecedented destruction hit the countryside, destroying land, animals, and homes. While exploring the environmental causes and potential solutions, there’s a focus on the importance of the people at the heart of the matter. Many of the affected regions relied on volunteers—which comprised 90% of Australia’s firefighters—who put their lives and livelihoods on the line to save their communities. Celebrating the firefighters’ heroism and selfless courage, directors Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro then look at the aftermath, exploring the mental trauma and emotional toll of surviving where friends and family didn’t. Despite devastation and inner strife, there’s a hopeful recognition of camaraderie and duty between strangers as people work together to rebuild and recover from the wreckage. The film is a clarion call about the increasingly dangerous effects of climate change, and the communal spirit and bravery of those who stand together in the midst of a crisis serve as an inspiration.

 

Q&A Oct 3 & Oct 5

 

Media Partner

The Tyee logo

Directors
Credits
Country of Origin

Australia

Year

2021

Language

English

Film Contact
Links
18+
92 min
Documentary

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Credits

Executive Producer

Rob Galluzzo

Producer

Michael Hilliard, Camilla Mazzaferro, Casey Ventura

Screenwriter

Justin Krook, Luke Mazzaferro, Nick Worthington

Cinematography

Josh Flavell

Editor

Scott Walmsley

Original Music

Matteo Zingales

Directors

Justin Krook headshot, A Fire Inside co-director

Justin Krook

Documentary filmmaker Justin Krook received a Grammy nomination for his first feature, the Netflix original I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016), which examines the life and career of DJ Steve Aoki. His subsequent feature Machine (2019) premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Filmography: The Human Experiment (2004); Echoboom (2006); I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016); Machine (2019)

Luke Mazzaferro headshot, A Fire Inside co-director

Luke Mazzaferro

Luke Mazzaferro is a writer, producer, director, and a founding partner of FINCH, an Australian independent film production company. His feature documentary Machine (2019) premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival. He has previously worked with director Patrick Hughes on a variety of projects, including the modern western Red Hill (2010).