BEHIND THE FILM

"I've been fascinated by military history for as long as I can remember. Growing up, it was the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that captured my imagination. Learning about the Australians who fought along the Kokoda Track left a lasting impression on me, and experiencing that place for myself became something I'd always dreamed of doing. When the opportunity arose to document an expedition across the Track, the idea was surprisingly simple: what if we filmed the entire experience, from beginning to end, and brought audiences along for the journey? I wanted to create something immersive and cinematic. Something that captured the physical challenge, the extraordinary landscapes, the exhaustion, the humour and the unpredictable moments that come with taking a group of ordinary Australians into such an extraordinary environment. At the time, I imagined we were making a feature-length documentary. What I hadn't anticipated was just how much of a story would unfold in front of our cameras. As the expedition progressed, I began discovering the people behind the journey. Their personalities, friendships, struggles and willingness to open up revealed something far more compelling than I could ever have scripted. When I returned home and began working through the footage, it became clear that these stories couldn't be adequately told in a single film. The documentary was becoming something much bigger. It was during the editing process that the historical storytelling also began to take on a life of its own. Moments filmed at places such as Brigade Hill made me realise that to truly appreciate what we were witnessing in the present, audiences needed to understand the extraordinary events that had unfolded on that same ground in 1942. What began as an immersive account of a modern expedition gradually evolved into two intertwined narratives: the remarkable history of the Kokoda campaign and the deeply personal experiences of the people walking the Track today. Another unexpected part of the journey was the connection we formed with the Koiari people. Our porters and guides became far more than the people helping us across the mountains. They became friends, and ultimately family. Their generosity, humour, singing, stories and enduring connection to Kokoda became part of the very heart and soul of this documentary. I also had the extraordinary privilege of spending time with Kokoda veteran Reg Chard. Hearing his experiences and getting to know the man behind the history reinforced something that has stayed with me throughout this entire production: behind every story of courage and sacrifice was a real person, with fears, friendships, hopes and a life beyond the battlefield. Four years later, what began as a relatively simple filmmaking ambition has grown into a ten-part documentary series that has challenged me creatively and personally in ways I could never have imagined. My hope is that *Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda* brings this extraordinary place into people's living rooms like never before. That audiences come to know and care about the people walking the Track, develop a deeper appreciation for those who came before them, and recognise the indispensable contributions of the Papua New Guinean people. And perhaps, through these stories, viewers might find a little perspective on their own lives, the courage to reach out to someone, or a renewed sense of purpose. Because ultimately, this documentary isn't just about walking in the footsteps of heroes. It's about understanding the people behind the history, recognising the humanity we share, and considering what we choose to carry forward."