An award winning feature length film telling the inspiring story of the NSW Northern Rivers campaign to protect the region from coal-seam gas (CSG) will show at the Narrabri Bowling Club on April 29 at 7pm.
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The Bentley Effect, from Australian director and producer, Brendan Shoebridge, chronicles the long campaign against unconventional gas that culminated in the dramatic and ultimately successful community showdown at the gates of Bentley near Lismore, NSW.
The film has had sell-out screenings in Melbourne, Brisbane and throughout the Northern Rivers. It took out the Byron Film Award at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, the Best Documentary from the Barcelona Planet Film Awards as well as the Award of Excellence and a Special Mention at the 2017 Impact Docs Awards.
Shoebridge said he has been ‘completely blown away by the audience reaction to The Bentley Effect’. ‘I knew it would be well received but I was quite unprepared for all the standing ovations – even outside the region, the reception from audiences in Melbourne and Brisbane have been incredible.
‘The first priority was to ensure it was entertaining, but I didn’t want to make a film that people would simply watch either - I wanted to offer the audience an experience, the next best thing to being there on the blockades. It also had to inspire hope and stay true to what played out ’, Shoebridge said.
‘It’s a remarkable time to release this documentary at a time when so many other communities, including those in North West NSW, are under threat from coal seam gas and other mining impacts.”
“I’m glad I’ve been able to come to Narrabri during the period that the NSW Government is seeking comment on Santos’ plans for coal seam gas in the Pilliga forest, which is effectively the large scale introduction of this industry into the region.”
‘I hope taking a trip back to the historic showdown at Bentley and seeing it’s build up through the eyes of the protesters will inspire The Bentley Effect to spread fast and ripple across the globe’, Shoebridge said. “Ultimately it’s a film about the power of community, and as audiences will see in the film, this is by far our greatest form of resilience.”
The local feature length documentary film is touring select cinemas throughout the Australia before a six week tour of the UK in May and June. Information about the film can be found at www.thebentleyeffect.com
Tickets for the Narrabri screening can be bought online or at the door on the night: https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=275914
