Wendy, Meg Bracken, Kylie de Havilland, Moira Gordon, Brenda Eggleton, Valerie Hussain and Nancie Clisby. Photo: Supplied.
Gerringong’s Wendy Saunders is making a heartfelt appeal for support to help her complete her debut documentary Finding Your Path, which celebrates creativity, healing and connection.
After filming with an all-volunteer crew across the Illawarra, Wendy is now seeking support to fund the crucial editing and post-production stage that will bring the women’s powerful stories to life.
The first-time producer said the labour of love documentary followed a cast of women as they embarked on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment through a series of community workshops focused on art, yoga, mindfulness, and heritage.
Wendy said her interest in the themes tackled in the documentary came about 25 years ago after living in the US, where she experienced a profound shift.
“I had a bit of a shock divorce, and three years later I thought, I need to go back to Australia to figure out who I am,” she said.
“It was to live more of a spiritual life versus a party life that I was leading in Los Angeles and San Diego.”
That shift, along with an accident that resulted in a fractured shoulder and anxiety issues, drew her to eco-tourism, yoga, Ayurveda, and a long involvement with women’s retreats and community work.
“Over the years, my health got better,” she said.
“The yoga lifestyle, meditation, really good food and community was everything I ever wanted.
“I learned all about what’s called dharma … which is purpose, and that’s one of the main philosophies that you learn in yoga, is to start thinking about that.”
However, it wasn’t until she studied screen and media at iTec Academy in Coniston where her first assignment was to write a script that the idea for Finding Your Path formed.
During filming of Finding Your Path. Photo: Supplied.
“Months after it finished, the Older Women’s Network had an event that really got my imagination going in Sydney at Cooper Park, which was a two-hour forest bathing walk,” she said.
“I went on the walk and it was absolutely fabulous and the next day I thought, that would work beautifully in my documentary.”
She said the film’s production involved Illawarra women, artists, healers and film professionals all collaborating at various locations in the region, undertaking yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, mindful photography, forest therapy, intuitive art classes, a traditional tea ceremony, and heritage sharing activities.
Filming at Sowelu Retreat in Dombarton and throughout the Illawarra was supported by Screen Illawarra volunteer crew.
It also involved support from videographer and cinematographer Rose Newland, director Adriana Mazevski, drone footage from Krystal Oldfield, members of the Older Women’s Network (OWN) and Wendy’s former colleagues from trauma healing retreats.
“The main thing is to work with the right people that feel the same way as you do,” she said.
As filming finishes and post-production looms, Wendy faces new challenges.
“This stage that I’m at right now with the editing could be the most expensive, which I wasn’t expecting,” she said.
“So that’s why I’ve resorted to getting some help.”
Looking ahead, Wendy sees vast potential for Finding Your Path, including Illawarra screenings and workshops for women’s groups.
“After this, we could travel around the country and show the movie and give classes,” she said.
Wendy encourages anyone moved by the project’s themes who would like to support her, to email [email protected]
