About this Short Film
The Power of Music, by Kaleb Hendren (Australia, 2024), is presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. The short film explores how music connects to achievement, focus and inclusion, and examines perception and viewpoint through the lens of performing and practice. Themes of motivation, talent and social connection run through the work, alongside an attention to sensory disability and vision impairment. Rather than prescribing a single reading, it invites viewers to reflect on the role sound and rhythm play in daily life and the pursuit of skill. A thoughtful addition to this year's programme, it highlights the abilities and experiences central to our festival.
Film Details
Film Transcript
Hi, Kaleb.
Tell us about yourself.
Well, I'm very musically talented and I play piano.
What's special about you?
Um, I have been blind since birth. I only have to listen to a song once and I just play by ear. Once I hear that song I just pick it up straight away. When I was three years old it was my granddad's birthday and Mum asked me to go play Granddad "Happy Birthday" on my toy p which I had, and she was quite surprised that I had musical talent, so she asked me to play and I just did. My disability has not stopped me from playing music at all.
Introduce yourself, Denise.
I'm Denise Kimber Kim, and we have been playing together for about 14 years.
How would you describe Cameron's musical ability?
He's a genius. You've only got to put a few lyrics together or anything — we got a stadium rock band. Cool boys in the front, man.
What would you say it's like performing in front of a crowd?
Oh, it's so good. You've got to have that focus. You have to, you know, set what you're going to play — like one, two, three songs — and you've practised them, and you just nail it when you perform. That's the best part about it. And I mean there is wle room in our performances. Yep. So yeah, and lots of wile room too, like wiggly worms, like babies trying to get their nappies changed — similar to that.
Where are we going tonight?
We're going to the Irish Club tonight. It's an open mic night and we're going to be singing some songs, have a bit of dinner, have a beer, have a chat.
Are the songs original?
Yeah, the original songs made on our — made from our CD.
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, once in a while these guys are semi-regular. We have Denise and Cameron here tonight and they are beautiful individually, but together they're like a bunch of flowers, so you're in for a real treat here. Let's give it up for Denise and Cameron.
Yay.
You nervous?
No, not nervous at all.
So you would say you're more excited?
I'm more excited than anything.
Would you say you've made social connections from doing open mic nights?
Yeah, lots of it. Lots of social connections. Open mic music has opened up a whole new world for people. I think people should give it a go — get out there and give it a shot, 'cause it'll sort of steer them away from whatever's going on in their life, give them a chance to make friends.
That makes sense.
That makes perfect sense.
How do you think you went tonight?
It was really, really good. I did not feel nervous at all.
That's great. So you feel good about it?
Oh, had a good time.
Absolutely.
That was the best night, eh — good crowd, good drinking.
Filmmaker
Kaleb Hendren is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Kaleb Hendren.
You should see Denise and Cameron live at the Irish pub in Toowoomba