Rob Innes

This is an important documentary film, inspired by an article on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) website written by journalist Anne Barker. When I read this article, it really moved me and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I just knew we had to make this film.

Life and Death in Vientiane is a documentary about a completely volunteer ambulance and rescue service called Vientiane Rescue, and the dedicated and passionate people that run it. They rely entirely on private donations, and the majority of the volunteers have no medical background. In a small country where four deaths occur every day from road accidents, they provide hope and assistance where there’s been none. But this doesn’t come without sacrifice, what kind of toll does it leave on the people behind Vientiane Rescue?

We are firstly producing a documentary to tell this story, but through the film we hope to raise the awareness and recognition that this group deserves. Film is a powerful medium for communication, and it has a greater power to raise the necessary funds in the future to keep the service going. By donating to this project, you're helping support Vientiane Rescue in the long run.


Growing up, my Dad, who works as a rescue officer for the MFB in Melbourne (Australia) would share some of his experiences. Attending road accidents, dealing with trauma, and the things he was forced to see will forever stay with him, so I'm a little speechless when I think of these volunteers doing this job with such limited support and resources. It's almost unfathomable to think that at night there was nobody to attend to road accidents, that victims would lie on the side of the roads slowly dying, all before Vientiane Rescue came along.


This service survives day by day, with donations hard to come by in Laos. There have been many times where they weren't sure the service could run that month. But they keep going, with their heads just above the water. It doesn't get any easier, with the upcoming Laos New Year providing the biggest challenge the team will face. Over three nights, its expected they will face more than 50 rescues, I don't think I need to tell you how confronting that is.

This documentary will follow the individual people behind Vientiane Rescue, including French paramedic Sebastien, one of the leading volunteers. We'll be there with them as they prepare for Laos New Year, we'll ride with them to the rescues and emergencies they respond to over the three nights, and we'll be there for the aftermath. Our small crew of just a producer/host and a camera operator will be able to really get to know these people, and we'll personally interact with them. This is a film about people, and it’s their chance to tell their own story.

This documentary will be shot in a gritty, hand-held way, to add to the realism and naturalism, and keep with the kinetic pace of the rescue responses. I'll be there to meet with the people, and be the audience's entry into the world here. Most of the filming will take place on the streets of Laos, and at the rescue centre, so we'll see the real life world of this service and this city. 


Mashup Pictures and I want to tell stories that have passion and that also have a greater meaning, and we believe this project highlights a cause and people who deserve a lot more support than they currently receive. This isn't just a documentary film, it’s a chance to raise funds for an important service. A service that saves lives.

*photos courtesy of Anne Barker (ABC)

Mentors

Short documentary synopsis

The future?

This budget will be used to cover the costs of taking a small crew of two (producer and camera operator) to Laos to film over the Laos New Year period (approx. 7-10 days of filming).

The budget covers items such as:
-Research and preparation
-Camera and sound equipment (camera, microphones, data cards, portable lights, hard drives)
-Hiring fees of a local interpreter/translator
-Visas and insurance
-Travel and associated costs (flights x2, accommodation, local transport, living costs, etc)

Crew fees are not included as both producer and camera operator are on a deferred payment arrangement.

There are many challenges inherent in documentary filmmaking, mainly the fact that you cannot prepare for everything you could face, and documentary subjects and stories can change dramatically as you're filming. Our challenges include filming in a country that is not our own, the language barriers, filming in public areas, filming traumatic events, distance of travel, filming at night, legal and ethical responsibilities. We are meeting these challenges by involving our mentors and other network contacts to best prepare. We'll take light and easy to carry equipment, but with a camera that can deal with low light situations easily. We'll cover ourselves legally by accessing the proper visas and insurance required. We'll be hiring a translator/interpreter to overcome the language barrier. We will arrive several days before to acquaint ourselves with the volunteers at the rescue service so we can interact more personally. We can't plan for every challenge, but that is the beauty of documentary filmmaking.