Michael Butler is a documentary film maker with over 30 years of experience. He was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, and from a young age, he was drawn to the art of storytelling through film. Growing up, Michael's life was marked by tragedy and hardship, including the institutionalisation of his father. Despite these challenges, Michael was determined to pursue his passion for film and storytelling.
In the 1980s, Michael attended film school in New York City, where he honed his craft and developed a unique visual style. After graduation, Michael began working as a freelance documentary filmmaker, traveling around the world to capture the stories of people from all walks of life. Over the years, he has interviewed and filmed everyone from soldiers and supermodels to Indigenous elders and rock stars.
Throughout his career, Michael has always been drawn to stories of human resilience and the triumph of the human spirit. He has documented the experiences of people who have overcome incredible obstacles, and he has explored the ways in which different cultures and societies have adapted and thrived in the face of adversity.
In the 1990s, Michael spent a decade living with Indigenous elders in Australia, documenting their stories and learning about their culture. He traveled around the country, filming ceremonies, customs, and traditions, and he gained a deep understanding of the ancient wisdom and knowledge of the Indigenous people. This experience had a profound impact on Michael, and he came to see the Indigenous culture as a source of strength and inspiration for all Australians.
In the 2000s, Michael turned his attention to documenting the stories of people who have faced life-threatening challenges. He climbed to base camp at Mt. Everest, almost dying in the process, and he circumnavigated Australia on a jet ski, setting two world records in the process. Throughout these adventures, Michael never lost sight of the importance of storytelling, and he continued to capture footage and document the experiences of the people he met along the way.
Today, Michael continues to make documentaries that explore the human experience and the resilience of the human spirit. His latest project is called "The Message Stick Vehicle" which is a restored 1961 Ex-Army Land Rover that was originally built for the Vietnam War and later rebuilt in 1995. It was used by filmmaker Michael Butler to travel around Australia for almost 15 years, filming Aboriginal stories and documenting a film about reconciliation. The vehicle is adorned with paintings by over 200 Aboriginal artists from different language groups and represents the artwork of some of the most prolific Aboriginal artists. It has become a symbol of reconciliation and a testament to the survival and resilience of the Aboriginal culture.
#MichaelButler #documentary #film #Australia #Aboriginalculture #reconciliation #TheMessageStickVehicle #storytelling #humanresilience #triumphofhumanSpirit #Indigenous #MtEverest #jetSki #HumanExperience
