Pandemic; Margaret's Experience | Short Film

In the 1950s, Australia was hit with the Polio epidemic. Over a 10 year period, 17,000 cases of the virus were reported nationally. Many Australians today are living with the lifelong effects of poliomyelitis, after experiencing the outbreak 70 years ago. This short format documentary follows Margaret Saunders' experience battling the crippling disease. For my HSC Visual Arts major work, I decided to produce a history-oriented documentary, focusing on memory. After making a post on a local Facebook group asking for anecdotes from the 40s, 50s and 60s, Margaret contacted me, explaining her experiences. Beginning in February, throughout the past 8 months I have been researching, organising and filming, trying to best represent the culture, clothing and media of the time (to the best of my ability... and restricted budget). Update as of October 2019: My film was entered into the 'Blue Heeler Film Festival' taking out first prize in the senior category, it was a great evening in Muswellbrook. https://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au/story/6447119/a-golden-evening-for-film-makers-photos/ Update as of December 2019: Margaret has been published in the latest issue of 'Polio Oz News', writing a short reflection on her experience, this can be read here: https://www.polioaustralia.org.au/polio-oz-news-2019/ Also, the film has been nominated, and accepted into 'ArtExpress 2020', commencing January. As well as this, the film has been selected to be screened at Bondi Pavillion on the 18th of January, for 'FlickerFest' As of March 2020: On the 2nd of March, I headed down to the Armory Gallery at Sydney Olympic Park for the opening of ARTEXPRESS 2020. My short film was featured alongside other Visual Arts students' works. It was a great night. https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/Education/ARTEXPRESS I hope you enjoyed the film, I would really appreciate your feedback. Feel free to share! NSW Museum of Public Education http://www.schoolhousemuseum.org.au/ Prince Henry Nursing Hospital http://www.princehenryhospitalnursingandmedicalmuseum.com.au/museum.html Instagram: https://instagram.com/digging_australia/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiggingAus/?ref=br_rs Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiggingAus General questions/business enquiries: diggingaustralia@gmail.com