A new documentary about up-and-coming Melbourne singer Indy Angel is garnering rave reviews as it tackles a difficult yet widespread subject.
The documentary is titled Angel, and delves into the career of the 19-year-old highly-regarded singer from Melbourne, who has drawn significant praise and airplay from Triple J, but has struggled through a relationship with someone dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
The film achieved four official selections, which included Best Opera Prima Short Film at the South Film and Arts Academy Festival; nominations for Best Student Film, and Best Documentary at The Monthly Film Festival; one semi-finalist nomination at the Stockholm City Film Festival; and an official screening at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on 14 September.
What you need to know
- Charlotte White directed ‘Angel’ is garnering critical acclaim
- It follows the career and personal challenges of Melbourne musician Indy Angel
- It was produced through SAE Creative Media Institute
Keep up with the latest music interviews, news and reviews here.
Director Charlotte White knew Indy, says it was a revelatory experience for both filmmaker and subject.
“I knew of Indy’s story from a personal perspective having been friends, but I was really interested to delve deeper into her story as an artist, and I felt when we connected that piece it was a fully formed picture of what she’s been through and overcome,” Charlotte said.
“It was originally ‘how to get from pen and paper to commercial success’, but it turned into the struggles, trials and tribulations of being a 19 year-old creative.
“Indy was in a relationship with someone that dealt pretty heavily in substance abuse and had mental health problems, and she found that she just kept turning to her songwriting as a way of therapy. Through those feelings and emotions in her songwriting she gained a wide amount of support for her music through Triple J Unearthed.
“Since the release of the film, people have reached out to Indy and said that this was everything they needed – it was comforting, a weight off their shoulders. People have found solace in her music and her story.
“It was an emotional experience for both of us – we felt liberated through the process of creating the documentary.”
Angel, who wrote the track ‘Move On’ about the eventual break-up and her process of rebuilding her own life, said that while filming the documentary was uncomfortable, the result has been uplifting.
“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come, where I am now emotionally, and to have people witnessing this is really special,” Indy said.
“I’m quite a private person. Sharing my journey with the world has been both scary and wonderful at the same time.”
“I’m working with some amazing producers across the world to produce some new songs, and hopefully release an album towards the end of the year, so that’s super exciting.”
With a small crew of six SAE students and staff involved in the film, Charlotte added that the response to the film has been incredible.
“We’re all still in disbelief! We’ve received these wonderful messages from people sharing how the challenges Indy has had to overcome have really resonated with them,” Charlotte commented.
“People love to see you uncovering an artist and understanding where they’ve been from and how they make their art – it’s so absorbing for an audience.”
Follow the Melbourne International Documentary Festival’s screenings here.
