Survivors were linked by trauma, unimaginable grief and the weighty task of trying to understand what had happened to their worlds. After the shock of survival, just as the adrenalin finally runs out, the real work begins.
The film is a mélange of compelling home footage, delicate observation and thoughtful meditation that documents the extraordinary spectrum of human responses to the firestorm that swept through one valley. It is a story of heartbreak and love, redemption and resilience.
Each of the central characters has been challenged to find new ways of living in a radically-altered physical and emotional landscape. Whether they have lost loved ones, homes, their beloved natural environment or their children’s innocence, each is being tested in ways they could never have imagined.
The physical tasks of rebuilding houses, the local school and a market garden are set against a complex psychological backdrop. Raw and fragile moments are captured as parents try to hold their family together in a tiny caravan during winter while, down the road, love blossoms unexpectedly and unlikely creative projects bring people together.
Through this intimate observation of ordinary people responding to an extraordinary event, Then the Wind Changed offers a tender insight into humans’ amazing potential to manage adversity and rise from despair.
CFA Welfare Services
For some people, watching Then the Wind Changed may be very distressing. If you need support, CFA's Welfare Services are available to members and their immediate family members.
•Peer support can be accessed through the Regional Duty Officer, Officer in Charge, Line Manager, the Peer Coordinator or via the CFA Welfare line (ph 1800 628 616)
•Chaplains can be contacted directly or by contacting Converge International on 1800 337 068
•Psychologists/Counsellors can be contacted directly by contacting PPC Worldwide on1300 361 008
If you have any comments about the Welfare Services programs, please email welfareservices@cfa.vic.gov.au
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