We made this trailer because we are presently seeking funding to complete the post-production. This is a documentary film about the Berlin-based band Fatal Shore. The film explores the Prague-Berlin underground music scene through the eyes of the three band members, who have been involved in the London, New York, Melbourne, Prague and Berlin music scenes for the last twenty five years. Through a series of portraits, we focus on the three original members of Fatal Shore: Phil Shoenfelt, Bruno Adams and Chris Hughes.
When Nick Cave moved to Berlin in the early 80's, other Australian musicians followed him over. Chris and Bruno's former band Once Upon a Time came to Berlin from Melbourne, and went on tour with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as the support band. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds went on to great success, but the other Australian bands have remained in Berlin. As a result, there is an outpost of exiled Australian musicians still living in the city.
This documentary is a tale of survival against all the odds, the determination of three musicians to stay creative in the face of the soul-deadening demands of modern life. In these days of record company hype and media overkill, they show how independent music (and independent culture in general) continues to flourish at the margins. There may be a heavy price to pay (ravaged lives balanced at the edge of mayhem), but these musicians and writers show that determination and commitment can produce art that defies the sterility of mainstream culture. Sadly, Bruno Adams passed away this year and Fatal Shore no longer exists as a band. This film is a testimony of this talented band. I compiled the various material and did some of the camera work with interviews.
Robert Carrithers Producer and Director.
Jeffrey Stroud: Editor and sound.