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INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW HOLMES (THE LEGEND OF BEN HALL)
As many of you might already know Matthew Holmes is an Australian film director, producer, writer and actor.
In 2014 Matthew launched a crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter to fund a 25-minute film on the bushranger Ben Hall, entitled The Legend of Ben Hall. The project exceeded funding expectations and was expanded to a 50-minute film. Filming began in August 2014. When the trailer for The Legend of Ben Hall was released, the project was picked up by Odin's Eye Entertainment and RCL Motion Picture Entertainment and expanded into a 2-hour feature film, incorporating the footage from the short film into the feature. Filming began in regional Victoria in March 2015 and continued into June. The Legend of Ben Hall was released during the Made In Melbourne Film Festival in December 2016 where the premier of the film was a live sensation with the tickets sold out from the Box Office and the even the stairs at the ACMI Theater full house taken by the curious audience members. It was an official selection for the opening night of the Festival.
We had a rare opportunity to connect with Matthew Holmes and to get a couple of minutes in his busy time schedule to run an interview with him on his work on his feature film The Legend Of Ben Hall (2016). The interview was run by our multimedia journalist Lyudmila Vaisman.
In 2014 Matthew launched a crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter to fund a 25-minute film on the bushranger Ben Hall, entitled The Legend of Ben Hall. The project exceeded funding expectations and was expanded to a 50-minute film. Filming began in August 2014. When the trailer for The Legend of Ben Hall was released, the project was picked up by Odin's Eye Entertainment and RCL Motion Picture Entertainment and expanded into a 2-hour feature film, incorporating the footage from the short film into the feature. Filming began in regional Victoria in March 2015 and continued into June. The Legend of Ben Hall was released during the Made In Melbourne Film Festival in December 2016 where the premier of the film was a live sensation with the tickets sold out from the Box Office and the even the stairs at the ACMI Theater full house taken by the curious audience members. It was an official selection for the opening night of the Festival.
We had a rare opportunity to connect with Matthew Holmes and to get a couple of minutes in his busy time schedule to run an interview with him on his work on his feature film The Legend Of Ben Hall (2016). The interview was run by our multimedia journalist Lyudmila Vaisman.
REFERENCE (FILM SYNOPSIS)
After two years on the road, bushranger Ben Hall considers surrendering to the law when his old friend John Gilbert entices him back into the game. Taking on a fresh recruit John Dunn, the gang ride again, before long becoming the most wanted men in the British Empire. When they are declared outlaw, the three decide to flee the colony forever. As Ben Hall seeks to make peace with his tortured past, the their trusted friend becomes a police informant. They set a cunning trap for the outlaws, and on the cold morning of May 5th 1865, Ben Hall emerges alone from his camp... and walks into legend forever. Written by Matthew Holmes
After two years on the road, bushranger Ben Hall considers surrendering to the law when his old friend John Gilbert entices him back into the game. Taking on a fresh recruit John Dunn, the gang ride again, before long becoming the most wanted men in the British Empire. When they are declared outlaw, the three decide to flee the colony forever. As Ben Hall seeks to make peace with his tortured past, the their trusted friend becomes a police informant. They set a cunning trap for the outlaws, and on the cold morning of May 5th 1865, Ben Hall emerges alone from his camp... and walks into legend forever. Written by Matthew Holmes
interview by LYUDMILA VAISMAN
LV: The movie is presented as a true story. How difficult it was to locate archive documents for 1864?
MH: It wasn’t difficult, but it did take a long time. There is there is a lot of historical material out there such as books and research that are quite accessible. Plus, using Trove.com I could access newspapers from the time period easily and for free and they were a great resource. I worked closely with my historian Peter Bradley to ensure that we accessing the best archive material that is out there. The rest was just solid research and reading, always discovering and learning new information and then trying to funnel that into a screenplay.
LV: The movie is presented as a true story. How difficult it was to locate archive documents for 1864?
MH: It wasn’t difficult, but it did take a long time. There is there is a lot of historical material out there such as books and research that are quite accessible. Plus, using Trove.com I could access newspapers from the time period easily and for free and they were a great resource. I worked closely with my historian Peter Bradley to ensure that we accessing the best archive material that is out there. The rest was just solid research and reading, always discovering and learning new information and then trying to funnel that into a screenplay.
LV: Did you consider any other main characters for the purpose of this movie?
MH: No. It was always Ben Hall for me, right from the beginning. His story was the most fascinating to me, above all others and his life story was begging for a big screen adaption. There are many other great characters I would’ve liked to explore from this time period and who were part of Ben Hall’s journey, but there was not enough time to fit it all in.
MH: No. It was always Ben Hall for me, right from the beginning. His story was the most fascinating to me, above all others and his life story was begging for a big screen adaption. There are many other great characters I would’ve liked to explore from this time period and who were part of Ben Hall’s journey, but there was not enough time to fit it all in.
LV: Was it challenging to re-create the scenery of that time in history and the costumes?
MH: It was challenging because we were working on such a low-budget, so we were always pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved. But I surrounded myself with really great people who knew their stuff, and I was vigilant in doing my own research and bringing that to the table and saying ‘this is what I want it to be’. I was absolutely involved in trying to make the film look as visually authentic as possible and my crew did a remarkable job of recreating the time period with very little time and money. It all comes down to having the passion for authenticity and caring enough to make it happen despite limitations.
MH: It was challenging because we were working on such a low-budget, so we were always pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved. But I surrounded myself with really great people who knew their stuff, and I was vigilant in doing my own research and bringing that to the table and saying ‘this is what I want it to be’. I was absolutely involved in trying to make the film look as visually authentic as possible and my crew did a remarkable job of recreating the time period with very little time and money. It all comes down to having the passion for authenticity and caring enough to make it happen despite limitations.
LV: Despite committing 600 crimes, Ben Hall never took a life. Whereas he was reported to have more than 30 bullet wounds to his body when he was captured and killed. What was your intention to convey to the viewers with that movie?
MH: My intention was to convey the truth of this history and strip away all mythology and prejudice. I wanted Ben Hall to be a three-dimensional man and the film to be three-dimensional story. I did not want to paint any characters in strict terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I wanted to present the facts as we know them, to the best of our understanding, and let the audience decide what they think. Naturally, my film takes an empathetic approach to the character of Ben Hall and his gang, but it also takes an empathetic approach to the police as well. I wanted to humanise everyone in the story and remove them from the one-dimensional ‘boxes’ that people like to place these historical characters in. There is so much contradiction within this story and the characters themselves, it is just fascinating to discover and learn about - and that’s what I hope audiences take away from it. A sense of wonder and curiosity about the man and his story.
MH: My intention was to convey the truth of this history and strip away all mythology and prejudice. I wanted Ben Hall to be a three-dimensional man and the film to be three-dimensional story. I did not want to paint any characters in strict terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I wanted to present the facts as we know them, to the best of our understanding, and let the audience decide what they think. Naturally, my film takes an empathetic approach to the character of Ben Hall and his gang, but it also takes an empathetic approach to the police as well. I wanted to humanise everyone in the story and remove them from the one-dimensional ‘boxes’ that people like to place these historical characters in. There is so much contradiction within this story and the characters themselves, it is just fascinating to discover and learn about - and that’s what I hope audiences take away from it. A sense of wonder and curiosity about the man and his story.
INTERNATIONAL TRAILER:
REFERENCE (THE LEGEND OF BEN HALL MOVIE)
The Legend of Ben Hall is an Australian historical drama action film based on the true story of the Australian bushranger, Ben Hall. It has been written, produced and directed by Matthew Holmes and stars Jack Martin in the title role of Ben Hall, a legendary bushranger in Central West New South Wales. He is considered one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers and has become a significant part of Australian folklore. The Legend of Ben Hall also stars Jamie Coffa as John Gilbert, and William Lee as John Dunn. The film was released in Australia on 1 December 2016.
The script for The Legend of Ben Hall was written to be an historically accurate portrayal of the story. The film focuses on the last nine months of Ben Hall's life, when he was a well-established bushranger and was riding with gang members John Gilbert and John Dunn. It explores the relationships within the gang, as well as the people of the period, and recounts many of their real life robberies and clashes with the police.
The Legend of Ben Hall also explores the details surrounding Ben Hall's betrayal and his controversial death at the hands of the police on 5 May 1865. Ben Hall has been compared to American outlaws such as Jesse James.
It will be the second feature film by director Matthew Holmes, who wrote, directed and produced Twin Rivers in 2007.
The Legend of Ben Hall is produced by Two Tone Pictures and Running Panda Films with Odin's Eye Entertainment, RLC Motion Picture Entertainment, Emu Creek Pictures and SunJive Studios, with support from Film Victoria and Palmarium LLC.
Greg McLean, director of Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek 2, joined the production as Executive Producer in early 2015.
The Legend of Ben Hall is an Australian historical drama action film based on the true story of the Australian bushranger, Ben Hall. It has been written, produced and directed by Matthew Holmes and stars Jack Martin in the title role of Ben Hall, a legendary bushranger in Central West New South Wales. He is considered one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers and has become a significant part of Australian folklore. The Legend of Ben Hall also stars Jamie Coffa as John Gilbert, and William Lee as John Dunn. The film was released in Australia on 1 December 2016.
The script for The Legend of Ben Hall was written to be an historically accurate portrayal of the story. The film focuses on the last nine months of Ben Hall's life, when he was a well-established bushranger and was riding with gang members John Gilbert and John Dunn. It explores the relationships within the gang, as well as the people of the period, and recounts many of their real life robberies and clashes with the police.
The Legend of Ben Hall also explores the details surrounding Ben Hall's betrayal and his controversial death at the hands of the police on 5 May 1865. Ben Hall has been compared to American outlaws such as Jesse James.
It will be the second feature film by director Matthew Holmes, who wrote, directed and produced Twin Rivers in 2007.
The Legend of Ben Hall is produced by Two Tone Pictures and Running Panda Films with Odin's Eye Entertainment, RLC Motion Picture Entertainment, Emu Creek Pictures and SunJive Studios, with support from Film Victoria and Palmarium LLC.
Greg McLean, director of Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek 2, joined the production as Executive Producer in early 2015.
FILM REVIEW (Natasha Marchev and Alex Lis)
It seemed that we have been waiting for the film release and screening forever! Finally!!
There were so many of our friends who were at the set involved in the photography on site, filming and acting and so many stories we were told about the BTS we simply could not wait anymore...
Matthew Holmes, the director went through lots of ups and downs creating this incredible movie. He put his heart into it. I watched a couple of BTS long time ago when he explained how to make the real old Australian leather hat that the crew would be wearing and how he makes them out of the brand new hats - I was stunned with Matthew's attention to such small detail he put into his creation. Yes, even the hat matters as we, when we watch will notice and get that feeling of "the older times" that only small details can give us on the subconscious level (this is how the real artist get the message through). At that time I thought: this is what makes the movie so real, so natural and so sensationally genuine - the viewer gets the feel and the belief in what happens on screen. You go back in time with the artist and you find everything as it was there at that time: people and how they thought, and dressed and acted, their surroundings and the way of life.
This is the story:
Ben, the highly desired criminal has been on the road for two years and he wants to surrender to the law when he suddenly meets his old mate from the gang: John Gilbert who easily draws him back into bushranging and robbing innocent and rich. Ben is now the man, most wanted by the British Empire. The gang soon grows to three people and their deeds create a wave of protest from citizens.The gang is declared outlaws which means they can be killed by anyone from the crowd.. The gang is feeling this would be the end of their journey and they plan to run away and hide away overseas but still they need to collect extra money for that planned trip. Ben does not suspect that one of his best friends (who hides the gang's money) in order to avoid troubles for his own family becomes a police informant. Ben Hall gets into the trap like a mouse. People kill him and then they pay tributes to the brave man whom Ben always was. Is there bravery in robbing unarmed? Is the 30 bullets a good punishment though? What is fair and what is not? What can be considered a lawful revenge and what is not and is simply done because of fear?
The story raises so many questions and the list of them does not end. The characters are lovable but dangerous, we respect and hate them. It looks like this the film is a perfect and 100% candidate for our BEST MOVIE OF THE MONTH. It is one more incredible classic on your shelves of "Australian History".
We could not hold it but to compare the movie with "Australia", the film that featured so many celebrities and was so well advertised - this will come and go and will be forgotten. Why? There is no word of truth in that movie. Despite that "Ben Hall" is the best example of your films that you will want to watch year after year and it will only get better with time as the old, aged and good wine.
The actors certainly deserve a separate paragraph to be mentioned about. The physical appearance of Jack Martin (Ben Hall) and Jamie Coffa (John Gilbert) that copies in small details the major characters of the movie is astonishing! This was one well done casting work! The major cast is all spot on as well! The rest of the cast is fabulous and all the characters are nailed so right, so clear and so authentic!
Well, we have to admit the 7 years long Matthew spent on this film were not spent in vain.
The opening night turned to be a full house at the large ACMI theater with people sitting on the side stairs - I have not witnessed anything like that since Lord Of The Rings part 4 advance screening at Crown where I went with kids. Sold out - and the side stairs as well.
It is also good to mention that the film is not only a biography of the incredible personality but a significant part of the Australian history that we, living on this land should carry on our shoulders and know more about. There is a double praise for Matthew not only entertaining his audience but educating - certainly! Little we know and still do not know about Ben Hall and the times he had his adventures in but this "Australian WEstern" will open the eyes for many of us. Will we spend now more time reading, researching and investigating about our ancestors? I trust many of us will - at least let's read what google offers forget about the dusty documents in archives... and of course for many: let's forget online games and ebay - there is so much more to this life!
I only have to add that the Nature, the landscapes and the scenery in the film are captured in the best possible way - there are so many beautiful places in our country and in Victoria in particular - seems that they are all suddenly appeared in this film!
We certainly would like to take this opportunity and thank Matthew for his brilliant job putting this picture together,
On our way home from the movie Alex said: if there were so many Oscars I would give them all to this film on so many levels including directing, acting, costumes, music etc etc.. May be we should weld our own Oscars but I am sure this film will be at least noticed as the best foreign film and awarded what it deserves - 10 out of 10 stars from us but we would give it 100 stars if we could.
BEST AUSTRALIAN WESTERN OF ALL TIMES? - for sure!
It seemed that we have been waiting for the film release and screening forever! Finally!!
There were so many of our friends who were at the set involved in the photography on site, filming and acting and so many stories we were told about the BTS we simply could not wait anymore...
Matthew Holmes, the director went through lots of ups and downs creating this incredible movie. He put his heart into it. I watched a couple of BTS long time ago when he explained how to make the real old Australian leather hat that the crew would be wearing and how he makes them out of the brand new hats - I was stunned with Matthew's attention to such small detail he put into his creation. Yes, even the hat matters as we, when we watch will notice and get that feeling of "the older times" that only small details can give us on the subconscious level (this is how the real artist get the message through). At that time I thought: this is what makes the movie so real, so natural and so sensationally genuine - the viewer gets the feel and the belief in what happens on screen. You go back in time with the artist and you find everything as it was there at that time: people and how they thought, and dressed and acted, their surroundings and the way of life.
This is the story:
Ben, the highly desired criminal has been on the road for two years and he wants to surrender to the law when he suddenly meets his old mate from the gang: John Gilbert who easily draws him back into bushranging and robbing innocent and rich. Ben is now the man, most wanted by the British Empire. The gang soon grows to three people and their deeds create a wave of protest from citizens.The gang is declared outlaws which means they can be killed by anyone from the crowd.. The gang is feeling this would be the end of their journey and they plan to run away and hide away overseas but still they need to collect extra money for that planned trip. Ben does not suspect that one of his best friends (who hides the gang's money) in order to avoid troubles for his own family becomes a police informant. Ben Hall gets into the trap like a mouse. People kill him and then they pay tributes to the brave man whom Ben always was. Is there bravery in robbing unarmed? Is the 30 bullets a good punishment though? What is fair and what is not? What can be considered a lawful revenge and what is not and is simply done because of fear?
The story raises so many questions and the list of them does not end. The characters are lovable but dangerous, we respect and hate them. It looks like this the film is a perfect and 100% candidate for our BEST MOVIE OF THE MONTH. It is one more incredible classic on your shelves of "Australian History".
We could not hold it but to compare the movie with "Australia", the film that featured so many celebrities and was so well advertised - this will come and go and will be forgotten. Why? There is no word of truth in that movie. Despite that "Ben Hall" is the best example of your films that you will want to watch year after year and it will only get better with time as the old, aged and good wine.
The actors certainly deserve a separate paragraph to be mentioned about. The physical appearance of Jack Martin (Ben Hall) and Jamie Coffa (John Gilbert) that copies in small details the major characters of the movie is astonishing! This was one well done casting work! The major cast is all spot on as well! The rest of the cast is fabulous and all the characters are nailed so right, so clear and so authentic!
Well, we have to admit the 7 years long Matthew spent on this film were not spent in vain.
The opening night turned to be a full house at the large ACMI theater with people sitting on the side stairs - I have not witnessed anything like that since Lord Of The Rings part 4 advance screening at Crown where I went with kids. Sold out - and the side stairs as well.
It is also good to mention that the film is not only a biography of the incredible personality but a significant part of the Australian history that we, living on this land should carry on our shoulders and know more about. There is a double praise for Matthew not only entertaining his audience but educating - certainly! Little we know and still do not know about Ben Hall and the times he had his adventures in but this "Australian WEstern" will open the eyes for many of us. Will we spend now more time reading, researching and investigating about our ancestors? I trust many of us will - at least let's read what google offers forget about the dusty documents in archives... and of course for many: let's forget online games and ebay - there is so much more to this life!
I only have to add that the Nature, the landscapes and the scenery in the film are captured in the best possible way - there are so many beautiful places in our country and in Victoria in particular - seems that they are all suddenly appeared in this film!
We certainly would like to take this opportunity and thank Matthew for his brilliant job putting this picture together,
On our way home from the movie Alex said: if there were so many Oscars I would give them all to this film on so many levels including directing, acting, costumes, music etc etc.. May be we should weld our own Oscars but I am sure this film will be at least noticed as the best foreign film and awarded what it deserves - 10 out of 10 stars from us but we would give it 100 stars if we could.
BEST AUSTRALIAN WESTERN OF ALL TIMES? - for sure!
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Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Online Magazine (Independent Media and Publicity Channel) is expressing its special thanks to Matthew Holmes for the opportunity to interview him, to the whole film crew for this fabulous drama with the story that made the history of Australia and to Lyudmila V for her time running this interview.
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