Meet The Filmmakers - Alan White and Jamie Brisick
The Life & Death of Westerly Windina
We talked to co-directors, Jamie Brisick and Alan White about their 12 year journey capturing The Life & Death of Westerly Windina
World Premiere + Q&A at Byron Bay Palace
Saturday 19th October at 7:30pm
Screening + Q&A at Brunswick Picture House
Sunday 27th October at 6:30pm
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As we approach the Byron Bay Film Festival 2024, the excitement mounts for the premiere of The Life & Death of Westerly Windina, a powerful documentary exploring the life of Peter Drouyn, a surfing legend, and his transformative journey into becoming Westerly Windina. Filmmakers Alan White and Jamie Brisick provide insight into the creation of this poignant film.
What initially drew you to the story of Peter Drouyn and Westerly Windina?
Jamie - I am a writer/journalist. I wrote a profile of Westerly Windina for The Surfer's Journal, which led to a friendship and immersion in the story. Writer/director Alan White and I were working on a project at the time, though we shared a mutual fascination with Westerly, which led us to joining forces on the documentary. When Peter transitioned to Westerly, transgender stories were very rare in surf culture. Through writing a profile of Westerly I got to know them, and also not - they were mysterious, I was perplexed, fascinated, hooked.
Alan - My good mate and wonderful novelist Jamie Brisick wrote a Surfer's Journal piece on Peter Drouyn's transformation into Westerly Windina. We had both known of and been intrigued by Peter the surfer and visionary, this next chapter seemed more than worthy of documenting. The documentary chronicles the life of surf icon Peter Drouyn and his controversial metamorphosis into Westerly Windina. Peter is such a unique and incredible human, whose life reminds us of the great polarities of our being, his/her/their story just had to be told.
What message or emotions do you hope your film conveys to the audience?
Jamie - That identity is fluid. That we are mysterious - perhaps most of all to ourselves.
Alan - Passion and commitment to a unique vision, requires a heroic struggle against all odds that not everyone will understand. We hope the film will educate and illuminate Peter's truly individual path through life.
Alan - Gender identity continues to be such a hot button cultural and societal issue that the community's stories often fail to find a platform. We hope that our film provides a welcome championing of transgender stories in its portrayal of gender identity within a traditionally macho sport, addressing themes of transformation, courage, and self-acceptance. We thank the BBFF for bringing to its audience marginalized voices, like Westerly's, while shedding light on the complexities of identity and the challenges faced by those who defy societal expectations​.
Jamie - This is our first documentary and BBFF our premiere but we can tell you from initial screenings that the film will inspire conversations around trans rights, acceptance in traditionally male-dominated sports, and the personal costs of living authentically. Our hope is this film has the potential to not only engage the surfing community but also contribute to the broader discourse on gender identity, diversity, and inclusion. Particularly in highlighting the personal courage required to challenge societal norms.
Many filmmakers have a unique style or signature in their work. What elements or aspects of your filmmaking style can audiences expect to see in your film?
Jamie - Honesty - I think that's what we were going for most of all when we made the film. That's perhaps not what immediately comes to mind when thinking of 'style,' but that was our north star.
Alan - My fiction film work, Erskineville Kings for example, presents carefully constructed frames within which I encourage naturalistic acting - how would it be if it was "real"? In our doc we couldn't always select the backdrop, but we could strive for fidelity to the "truth" - that we are documenting and exploring Peter's "reality", verite, fly on the wall wherever possible.
Did you face any challenges when making or developing it and if so how did you over come them...?
Jamie - We began the film hoping to portray Westerly Windina at a time of great transition in their life. We were most interested in Westerly - getting at the heart of who they are.
Alan - The film was made on "the sniff of an oily rag". A Kickstarter program, got us off and running and many, many thanks to the very patient collaborators that supported us! Over the 12 years we shot the film we rode the ever changing zeitgeist of public opinion to transgender stories. As cis gendered filmmakers we would never have been able to make the film without the incredible support and guidance of our trans Executive Producers Zackary Drucker and Daniielle Alexis.
Have you got any connections to Byron Bay?
Jamie - Had an unforgettable surf session at The Pass on a free-friction surfboard lent to me by esteemed waverider and dear friend, Derek Hynd. Followed the surf with a carrot juice at a local health food store. I was bare foot, felt right at home.
Alan - I have a film, Stoked!, in the works about the legendary local and international surf icon, Bob McTavish, starring Byron's own Rasmus King. Byron's Actor/Director luminary Simon Baker is an Executive Producer and original supporter of the film. Also great filmmaker John Hillcoat has a home in Byron and has been an incredible advocate and guiding light for the film from the outset.
Why did you want to be part of BBFF2024?
Jamie - Have heard great things about the festival - an honour to be world premiering here. Thank you.
Alan - BBFF is a celebrated festival in the heart of the crossover between surf and film culture. The perfect launching pad for our film.
Have you always wanted to be a Filmmaker? What path took you to filmmaking?
Jamie - No. I always wanted to be a pro surfer, or I did from age 14, and became one (lucky me!), though it came to an end at age 25. I was a reader/writer/egomaniac. Pro surfing spoiled me - I was self-important, and earned my living through dance-like self-expression. Writing seemed like the next best thing - or the thing in mid to later life. I backdoored my way into the surf mags, wrote a whole lot. Westerly was the dream profile/story. Filmmaking became an extension of the writing, I suppose.
Alan – I always wanted to be a story teller. I got my start writing ads, then found myself captivated by the possibilities of film bringing them to life. I played in a band and opportunities to create music videos for other bands sprung up. I was on my way. Erskineville Kings was my first film and I was and still am fully addicted to the making of films!
What advice would you offer to aspiring Filmmakers?
Jamie - Love your film and the making of it. Because no one will care more than you, the filmmaker. Enjoy the kicks to the head, there will be many.
Alan - Don't give up! Every film has its journey, protect it, push it, keep believing and it will find it's audience. When I made Erskineville Kings seminal film critic Peter Thompson said to me after an interview, "No matter what, just keep making them!". I've never forgotten that!
