SHangri-LA
Shangri-La tells the stories of two volunteer masseuses at the Shangri-La Massage and Rest Area. Nick and Harmony work with their hands and hearts to heal the aches and pains, cares and troubles of exhausted festival-goers at the 2005/06 Woodford Folk Festival. As they work, they recount their life stories, which both funny, poignant, and magical.
2006/07 Finalist at the Spirit of Woodford Competition
All the finalists were screened across two events at the festival: at the Bazaar on Thursday 28th of December at 8.30pm and at the Greenhouse at 8pm on Friday 29th of December. Shangri-La was screened at the latter. The competition is organised by Gaia Film - a collective of filmmakers and film aficionados based in Nimbin, NSW. Here's what they had to say about Shangri-La:
"We thought Shangri-La had a great and yet simple wisdom and we liked your choice of subject as it is these little tucked away, sacred corners that make Woodford the wonderful experience it is for us all. It feels a good length and was well edited. WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS!" Jeni Kendell, Paul Tait, Bob Loader, Val Graham, and Peter Rogers (The Spirit Team)
The winner of the competition was a beautiful documentary entitled "Butterfly Kiss" by Lachlan Forsyth about the Butterfly Walk at the Festival took out the prize narrowly from "Spirit of Woodford" by Ben Lockens. Congratulations to the filmmakers!
The response to Shangri-La was terrific. Harmony was there for the screening and loved the film. We had some trouble contacting the participants from the doco to attend the screening. However, through some wonderful timing and universal energy that seems to flow strong and swift at Woodford, Harmony was there for the screening by pure chance. Here's her story:
"It was quite uncanny really, I had just been talking to Jo [Shangri-la Boss] the day before of the film and she had not heard anything so we decided it was a non-event. I had gone to my tent on the hill above the Greenhouse at about 4pm to have a rest as I was quite exhausted. I woke about 8pm and went down the hill to collect my daughter after her shift at the Blues Bar. Feeling a bit peckish I changed direction and headed back through the Greenhouse [short cut to the festival] for something to eat. As I got there I heard something about "the Spirit of Woodford" and asked if they knew anything about the film made at Shangri-la last year. I couldn't believe it when she said it was on next ~ but then ~ yes I could because these things seem to happen for me frequently ~ Still quite amazing though to walk down at the right time and be in the right place!! I did like the film ~ you captured it beautifully ~."
Harmony, Harmony Matters Enterprises
It was a lovely experience making Shangri-la and hartflicker is looking forward to entering the Spirit of Woodford again in years to come.
