Blue but still Golden, by Matthew WF Wells (Australia, 2023), is a short film that reflects on achievement, employment and inclusion through the lens of medical disability. It explores individual experiences around motivation, speech and the challenges of being undiagnosed, and acknowledges mobility issues suggested by a wheelchair. Rather than presenting a single narrative, the film offers moments of honesty and quiet determination. Screened in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it complements the programme’s celebration of ability and accessible opportunity. A concise, thoughtful work that asks viewers to consider how society values contribution and supports inclusion.
My name's Timothy at Tim's Amit. I work in Workplace Health and Safety. I've worked full time for quite a long, quite a long stint. I've got one brother, two sisters and I still live, I live with my parents and yeah. Since I was 13, so when, how long did I put that? So I'd put that 33, 32 years, 32 years I've had this, I've had this problem so. I started to, I started tripping and bouncing off the walls and then mum eventually told me to see the doctors. They said I've a lesion in my cerebral limb which is stopping the messages getting to my left and right side and then slowly it actually affected my speech and I was actually in a wheelchair for my whole school life, like year 7 and year 12. I mean, sorry, all the way through TAFE and yeah, there's nothing else I can say on that. The hardest part is having people look at me and they say like I'm very, I'm very influential to them so I just keep pushing. Things that it stops me from doing like I can't run, can't figure it out that. Riding a bike like I used to. I used to love to play rugby league, can't do that anymore. So all sporting events are out of the question. Supporting is a different story but actually being involved, nah, sorry, can't do that. I'm a biggest supporter. I've been a member for a long time now. Well, paramount of anyone, the premiership in the 80s. And that's it, that's been it but I've still been a member. Oh and I love Gunda the movies which is about 10 minutes walk away from here so yeah, I just love that back. You can basically, you can almost escape from the pressures of real life, just concentrate on the movie itself. Like I'm all based around family. My grandparents were all about family and some of my folks, my whole, all my aunties and uncles. Mostly like the love and encouragement that you get from all the family. They're always willing to listen to what you want to say. I take time with the girls, even when they're off playing in the park or whatever, I'm always, I'm always very close. I'm very protective of them. It's no joke, like kids are actually our future. I even got a partner so I'd love to have kids myself but obviously that's not the plan. So to have my brother and sister have kids, it's just, it's been the top of my, peak of my life, the top of it. Go Para! I've never sat in front of three cameras in my whole life before. Like and subscribe!
Filmmaker
Matthew WF Wells is the filmmaker behind this entry.
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45 comments
K
Kim Samuel8/11/2023
H. I sat near you at the awards on Sunday. Great film. Congratulations
J
Joseph Joseph23/09/2023
Tim you are such an inspiration to me and all your friends and family we are always here for you and proud of all your achievements in life.
J
Jenny MacMahon18/09/2023
Thank you for sharing your story Tim.
B
Bernie Olsen18/09/2023
What an amazing young man A true inspiration gentleman. A beautiful strong family full of love.
T
To i Stacey13/09/2023
Tims positive approach to life is affirming.
N
Natasha Vella25/08/2023
Amazing story Good on you Tim - youre such a beautiful soul
M
Maureen Hemmings25/08/2023
What a special young man who is so fortunate to have such a loving family
N
Nicole Bryce23/08/2023
So touching. This made my heart fill with with joy and inspiration.
D
Dean Rolfe23/08/2023
Absolutely brilliant human spirit always shines through
D
Di Smith23/08/2023
Such a gentle insight into this lovely mans life. Loved it.
J
Joy Cusack23/08/2023
Inspirational film.
B
Bowen Douglas23/08/2023
What a beautiful story and Tim's positivity is infectious. Thank you for bringing this to the world Matty Damien and family.
L
Luke Hill22/08/2023
Great work guys. Tim positivity is so inspiring and you captured his great infectious personality perfectly.
S
Sanjay Gupta22/08/2023
Great role model and motivational lifestyle wow. Stay Blessed
P
Paul Roberts21/08/2023
So much more could be said of this gem of a guy but Matthew and Damien have done a great job in a short video to capture Tims spirit of life family and other-centred goodness - as well as something of the weight of his burden and the way it kept unfolding and adding new challenges. Im blessed and expanded in knowing Tim.
B
Bernadette Rayner21/08/2023
What a gift of positivity resilience determination strength and joy this man and his family are to this world
M
Martha Bartolo20/08/2023
Well done Tim. Very inspiring family. God bless you all
M
Mary Dalli20/08/2023
Well Cecilia it did bring tears to my eyes such a beautiful story of one beautiful person Tim you are amazing of what you have achieved well done to you and also congratulations to Matthew and Damien for such a beautiful story
G
Garry Harris20/08/2023
Good job Tim you and your family are wonderful people there should be more of you
H
Heidi Pultar20/08/2023
Such an authentic glimpse into Tims life its people with challenges like his that remind us of the important things in life. Love this one Good Wells Productions.
R
Remi Cespon-Wylie19/08/2023
Hi Tim you're so amazing..You have a good and kindhearted man just like your parents. You're a legend.
L
Lizzie Chase19/08/2023
Tim thanks so much I loved this
K
Karen Ruppert18/08/2023
You are so inspiring Tim. Seeing you at school to where you are now is incredible. Im so very happy to see you living your best life.
S
Scott Gibbs18/08/2023
Congratulations to all involved with making this film. Great to see Tim getting on and enjoying life. How easy it would be for him to be bitter and angry at the hand he has been dealt. We all need to see these stories now and again to remind us of our good fortune. I too am a lifelong Eels fan. They will win a premiership one day Tim. All the best to a Great bloke.
I
India Cook18/08/2023
Such a strong intelligent man Keep your chin up x
M
Michael Lombardo18/08/2023
What an amazing and inspirational Journey I applaud your willingness to speak out the Blue and Gold army are lucky to have you on their side. You are the true champion well done.
A
andy adamson18/08/2023
Dead set champion human being. Spent many a day with Tim on 2 overseas trips. Fantastic company great conversationalist intelligent and funny. Great film .
D
Danielle Gentles18/08/2023
What an amazing way to share the story of such a beautiful person like Tim. Fantastic film.
R
Roshantha Pillay17/08/2023
Absolutely amazing Matty...well done on your gorgeous film. Tim your tenacity perseverance warmth and zest for life is such an inspiration wishing you a heartfelt congrats. You are a natural star full of smiles and you just keep going....may God bless you always....lots of love always and stay happy...Rosh
J
John Wells17/08/2023
You are so inspirational Tim. Well done Matt for sharing this with us.
M
Marianne Autard17/08/2023
You are wonderful Timmy Such an inspiration for others. May Our Lord bless you always
C
Colleen Lobo17/08/2023
What an inspiring film. So proud of you Tim. You are an amazing person. Keep doing what you are doing. God bless you
D
Dave Jackson17/08/2023
Having met Tim a few times through his brother Damo the short captures his character so well. Such a genuine guy and yes he always mentioned at length how The Eels were doing even to a Manly fan.
L
Liz David Walker17/08/2023
A very inspiring short film Matt. Tim what an incredible person you are our Best Wishes
S
Sean Davitt17/08/2023
Lovely film Tim you're outlook and passion for life are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
C
Candy McMaster17/08/2023
So proud to be your mate Tim x
A
Abdullah Naeem17/08/2023
Well done Tim
C
Con Kapsalis16/08/2023
What an inspiration you are Tim. You're a wonderful human being.
N
Naeem Fazal16/08/2023
Highly commendable you are a star Tim. You have demonstrated that if there is a will there is a way. You are brave and have the courage to show the world that you can do it good on you Tim and all the best.
M
Mat Shackleton16/08/2023
Tim youre a legend. What an inspiring message and example you set. Lighting up those three cameras Excellent production that has won my vote
A
Arfan Chaudhary16/08/2023
Very inspiring. Tim you got the ability courage and vision to move forward and make an example for others to be more focus on contributing to lives and yourself. Well done.
K
Kurtis Boys16/08/2023
Absolutely love Tims story and outlook on life. What a Legend.
P
Peter Harding16/08/2023
A truly inspirational human being and story. What a wonderful production. Well done to all involved and you're a star Tim. A complete natural for the camera all 3 of them at once
R
Rhonda Dal Santo16/08/2023
A Brilliant EYE OPENER TO an incredible human being. Braveresilient tenacious and loving . CAPTURED WITH true empathy to inspire all of us to be better human beings. Thanks Matt for this precious insight into Tim's abilities.
H. I sat near you at the awards on Sunday. Great film. Congratulations
Tim you are such an inspiration to me and all your friends and family we are always here for you and proud of all your achievements in life.
Thank you for sharing your story Tim.
What an amazing young man A true inspiration gentleman. A beautiful strong family full of love.
Tims positive approach to life is affirming.
Amazing story Good on you Tim - youre such a beautiful soul
What a special young man who is so fortunate to have such a loving family
So touching. This made my heart fill with with joy and inspiration.
Absolutely brilliant human spirit always shines through
Such a gentle insight into this lovely mans life. Loved it.
Inspirational film.
What a beautiful story and Tim's positivity is infectious. Thank you for bringing this to the world Matty Damien and family.
Great work guys. Tim positivity is so inspiring and you captured his great infectious personality perfectly.
Great role model and motivational lifestyle wow. Stay Blessed
So much more could be said of this gem of a guy but Matthew and Damien have done a great job in a short video to capture Tims spirit of life family and other-centred goodness - as well as something of the weight of his burden and the way it kept unfolding and adding new challenges. Im blessed and expanded in knowing Tim.
What a gift of positivity resilience determination strength and joy this man and his family are to this world
Well done Tim. Very inspiring family. God bless you all
Well Cecilia it did bring tears to my eyes such a beautiful story of one beautiful person Tim you are amazing of what you have achieved well done to you and also congratulations to Matthew and Damien for such a beautiful story
Good job Tim you and your family are wonderful people there should be more of you
Such an authentic glimpse into Tims life its people with challenges like his that remind us of the important things in life. Love this one Good Wells Productions.
Hi Tim you're so amazing..You have a good and kindhearted man just like your parents. You're a legend.
Tim thanks so much I loved this
You are so inspiring Tim. Seeing you at school to where you are now is incredible. Im so very happy to see you living your best life.
Congratulations to all involved with making this film. Great to see Tim getting on and enjoying life. How easy it would be for him to be bitter and angry at the hand he has been dealt. We all need to see these stories now and again to remind us of our good fortune. I too am a lifelong Eels fan. They will win a premiership one day Tim. All the best to a Great bloke.
Such a strong intelligent man Keep your chin up x
What an amazing and inspirational Journey I applaud your willingness to speak out the Blue and Gold army are lucky to have you on their side. You are the true champion well done.
Dead set champion human being. Spent many a day with Tim on 2 overseas trips. Fantastic company great conversationalist intelligent and funny. Great film .
What an amazing way to share the story of such a beautiful person like Tim. Fantastic film.
Absolutely amazing Matty...well done on your gorgeous film. Tim your tenacity perseverance warmth and zest for life is such an inspiration wishing you a heartfelt congrats. You are a natural star full of smiles and you just keep going....may God bless you always....lots of love always and stay happy...Rosh
You are so inspirational Tim. Well done Matt for sharing this with us.
You are wonderful Timmy Such an inspiration for others. May Our Lord bless you always
What an inspiring film. So proud of you Tim. You are an amazing person. Keep doing what you are doing. God bless you
Having met Tim a few times through his brother Damo the short captures his character so well. Such a genuine guy and yes he always mentioned at length how The Eels were doing even to a Manly fan.
A very inspiring short film Matt. Tim what an incredible person you are our Best Wishes
Lovely film Tim you're outlook and passion for life are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
So proud to be your mate Tim x
Well done Tim
What an inspiration you are Tim. You're a wonderful human being.
Highly commendable you are a star Tim. You have demonstrated that if there is a will there is a way. You are brave and have the courage to show the world that you can do it good on you Tim and all the best.
Tim youre a legend. What an inspiring message and example you set. Lighting up those three cameras Excellent production that has won my vote
Very inspiring. Tim you got the ability courage and vision to move forward and make an example for others to be more focus on contributing to lives and yourself. Well done.
Absolutely love Tims story and outlook on life. What a Legend.
A truly inspirational human being and story. What a wonderful production. Well done to all involved and you're a star Tim. A complete natural for the camera all 3 of them at once
A Brilliant EYE OPENER TO an incredible human being. Braveresilient tenacious and loving . CAPTURED WITH true empathy to inspire all of us to be better human beings. Thanks Matt for this precious insight into Tim's abilities.
Tim looking great up there.