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Brendan Toole - YOU CAN YOU CVN'T director's exclusive interview

Exclusive Interview

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Louise van Rooyen - Beamafilm

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01/06/2019

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Brendan Toole, director of YOU CAN YOU CVN'T talks about the inspirational Danny Lim, his favourite scene in the film, and conversations he's had with audience members.
Watch 'YOU CAN YOU CVN'T' on Beamafilm now!

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POLITICS - PROTEST - PROFANITY
Director: 
Cast: 

YOU CAN YOU CVN'T is a fascinating story about the power of individuality and the democratic right to freedom of speech in Australia. It is the story of the off-beat battler, Danny Lim, and his fight for the right to publicly voice his political discontent without fearing serious repercussions (as protesters too often do in other countries). He won the freedom to use his pun in political commentary and, in peacefully doing so, proved that Australian politicians are not a protected species. Director, Brendan Toole, an AFTRS documentary graduate and OzDox advocate, also shot, edited and produced YOU CAN YOU CVN'T which has screened at numerous film festivals around the world and also won the Best Short Documentary prize at 'BingeFest UK'. We were delighted to sit down with director, Brendan Toole, to discuss the challenges and joys of making "YOU CAN YOU CVN'T".
BEAMAFILM: Hi Brendan, YOU CAN YOU CVN'T is such a remarkable documentary. Can you tell us a little about what inspired you to make your film?
TOOLE: In 2017, demonstrating against the government had become a weekly outing for many in Australia. I was regularly filming protest rallies and "that sandwich board guy with the dog" was always there. I started to follow Danny and discovered his legal case over the CVN'T pun was underway so my project grew into the telling of that story. Soon I was with him outside court and discovering his many layers. I saw glimpses of a damaged perhaps lonely man craving attention and wanting to be loved but protecting himself from an increasingly threatening world with crass comedy signage as his armour. I tread gently, because a man who devotes his life to artistic political protesting can easily get lost in the frustration of it all. Danny is a lone agent provocateur of extreme exaggeration, wanting a world of peace and love, but easily dragged into anger at what exists instead. I was amazed at the boundless energy of this fearless, quirky, eccentric, street corner icon who never stops protesting and shit stirring with his unique form of performance street art.
Danny Lim with street art painting of himself
Danny Lim with street art painting of himself
BEAMAFILM: He is amazing indeed. Can you tell us what your favourite scene in the film and why?
TOOLE: My favourite scene is when Danny is confronted by a passer-by who is offended by Danny's sign arguing that there are children around, but then proceeds to act in a far more offensive way. While Danny is loved and accepted affectionately by many in Sydney he does face these sorts of confrontations regularly.
BEAMAFILM: We love that scene too. What was it like working with the film cast, and how did you get them interested in the project?
TOOLE: It was challenging to work with Danny when he was experiencing emotional stress because of the court case and I needed to be gentle, realistic yet ethical in my representation of him as an icon of Sydney with a brave exterior but a vulnerability beneath the surface. I approached Danny during a protest and he was happy to work with me, utterly generous and trusting in me as a filmmaker.
Danny Lim and a woman campaigning for marriage equality
Danny Lim and a woman campaigning for marriage equality
BEAMAFILM: Are there any standout behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film that you can share?
TOOLE: Trying to find Danny in the crowd celebrating the marriage equality win was both exciting and exhausting. I knew it could be a final hero shot but we were both lost in the thousands of people partying in Hyde Park – when we eventually found each other, it was a joy to see such a euphoric, diversely queer crowd embrace this wonderful character on such a happy night.
Danny Lim inside a Sydney train station
Danny Lim inside a Sydney train station
BEAMAFILM: How have audiences been responding to your film? Can you share any of the conversations you had with audience members?
TOOLE: The film has been warmly received by audiences on the festival circuit describing it as a 'classic', 'capturing a piece of Australian history' and a 'beautiful, gentle portrait of a man who is so completely living as his conscience dictates.'
BEAMAFILM: Are you currently working on any new projects you can tell us about?
TOOLE: I have a documentary project on plant medicines in early development.
Fantastic, we can't wait to see it. Thanks Brendan!
Watch 'YOU CAN YOU CVN'T' on Beamafilm here!
Brendan Toole, YOU CAN YOU CVN'T