THE HEALING is a documentary about to make its way around Australia. It tells an inspiring tale of recovery from two very different worlds. Set against the backdrop of the NSW Southern Highlands, a revolutionary program brings together traumatised ex-racehorses and traumatised military veterans – to help rebuild each other, and transform lives. Ex-policeman Scott Brodie has developed a program that helps horses and humans who have been through great challenges to find their way back to mental health. Or as the filmmakers themselves have written: “In an extraordinary mutual-healing, the horses are retrained for second careers as equestrian or recreational horses. The veterans regain their confidence and focus, return to work, and repair relationships with family and friends.”
Cinema screening of The Healing, will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers in selected cities. For every ticket purchased, 50% of profits go to Horse Aid. Scott Brodie’s program is not supported financially by government. Funds raised will help support veterans, serving defence members and first responders with their mental wellbeing.
This is a remarkable film directed by documentarian Nick Barkla. It is aimed at anyone with an interest in ex-military veterans, horses or a different approach to therapy. For further details check out the link to movie’s site. The Accessreel review of THE HEALING is here.
THE HEALING has won many awards, including the Beyond Blue Prize for ‘Best Film about Hope and Resilience’ at the 2022 Veterans Film Festival in Sydney. It also screened at Parliament House, Canberra, where it was introduced by the Hon Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. It most recently screened for the staff of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
THE HEALING is directed and produced by Nick Barkla, co-written by Nick Barkla and Robert Drane, with Geoffrey Smith as Creative Producer and Mel Baker as Associate Producer. The film is edited by Sara Edwards with music composed by Tamil Rogeon. THE HEALING is a Staunch Films production, with support from Creative Victoria, City of Melbourne and Documentary Australia Foundation. The film is distributed internationally by Escapade Media and recently screened on TV in Finland and Thailand.
THE HEALING – National Screening and Q&A Tour
SYDNEY: Monday, October 30 at 7.00pm | Ritz Cinemas Randwick
CANBERRA: Wednesday, November 1 at 7.00pm | Palace Electric
BRISBANE: Friday, November 3 at 7.30pm | New Farm Cinemas
ADELAIDE: Sunday, November 5 at 7.30pm | The Piccadilly
HOBART: Monday, November 6 at 6.00pm | State Cinema
PERTH: Wednesday, November 8 at 7.00pm | Luna Palace, Leederville
MELBOURNE: Thursday, November 9 at 7.00pm | Cinema Nova
BOWRAL: Sunday, November 26 at 4.30pm | Empire Cinema
Further information and tickets at: https://good.film/thehealing
