Unbroken Wings Authored by Glen McMillan
Unbroken Wings a girl named Lily.
Once upon a time, in the city of Whangarei, there lived an effervescent young girl named Lily. She was a talented ballet dancer, her agile movements embodying the artistry of her spirit. She was often seen dancing with the wind, her feet barely touching the ground, the city as her stage. But one fateful day, everything changed.
Lily was walking home late at night after a riveting ballet performance when an unexpected accident occurred. A reckless driver lost control of his vehicle, striking Lily before she could react. The next thing she remembered was the stark white ceiling of a hospital room. She had survived, but her spinal cord was severely damaged. The doctors gently broke the news: she would likely never dance again. Her world came crashing down around her. The stage she loved so dearly had been snatched away.
Days turned into weeks, then into months. Lily wrestled with depression, confined to her wheelchair, watching as the world moved on without her. Her dreams were shattered, her spirit broken. The city that once felt like a lively stage now loomed over her like a giant, unscalable wall.
One day, a man named Oscar moved into the house next to Lily's. He was a friendly, cheerful person who painted for a living despite being visually impaired. Oscar's unyielding spirit, despite his disability, ignited a spark of hope in Lily. She began to visit him, intrigued by his world of colours unseen.
Oscar, realizing Lily's pain mirrored his own, encouraged her to express herself again, not through dance, but through paint. Lily was hesitant at first; she thought she had lost all her artistic abilities. But Oscar insisted, "Art is not about the medium, Lily. It's about the soul that pours into it."
For the first time in months, Lily decided to give it a try. She picked up a brush, and as the colours danced on her canvas, she discovered a new way to express herself. With each stroke, she painted her emotions, her dreams, and her dance. The wheelchair didn't bind her; she was dancing again, just differently.
Lily's transformation was profound. She began to emerge from her shell of despair, reclaiming her life. Her paintings were heartfelt, filled with emotion that moved those who saw them. The city that once watched her dance was now captivated by her art.
In her struggle, Lily found a new purpose. Her life wasn't over; it had simply taken a different path. She missed dancing every day, but she found joy in her art, in the vibrancy of her paintings, in the dance of her brushstrokes. Her spirit, once crushed, now flew on unbroken wings.
She was no longer just Lily, the ballet dancer. She was Lily, the artist, the survivor, the beacon of hope. Through her journey, she discovered that while accidents can steal dreams, they can also give birth to new ones. Through her courage and resilience, she taught her city that while life can change in an instant, the spirit remains unbroken.
Authored by Glen McMillan
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Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday March 5th
Good People
We are glad to be back for 2026 and thrilled that the first WFS event for the year was so well attended. We had over 170 people see the brilliant documentary, Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke.
Our next film night is on Thursday 5th March in the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre at Forum North.
At 6pm, WFS will screen the Canadian documentary about the lives of artists in isolated regional areas etching out a career for themselves, RENDERING VISIONS.
Please note: This screening includes an interview with the film's director, Ms Ashley Laurenson, straight after the screening of the film, so don't miss it.
Our 8pm screening is the NZ documentary and tribute to a comedy legend, NOT ONLY FRED DAGG BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE.
RENDERING VISIONS
Canada, Documentary 2025, 64 mins
Cast: Liana Wheeldon, Renee Manners
Director: Ashley Laurenson
Alberta Canada is home to Fort McMurray, a region rich in oil sands and it's a cornerstone of the nation's petroleum industry.
But for the creative community of Fort McMurray, the path is less clear.
So, through a series of interviews, local Director, Ashley Laurenson asks the question - “What do artists need to thrive in an isolated community?”
Laurenson explore the struggles, resiliency and creativity in the region as she compiles heartfelt stories from local artists, historical accounts from arts champions and messages of hope for future artists.
PLEASE NOTE: The screening on 5th March will include an interview with the director, Ashley Laurenson following the screening of the film.
Showing at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei on Thursday, 5th March at 6pm (plus director interview) and Thursday, 12th March at 8pm (film only)
View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...
Tickets: Door sales only. $10 WFS members. Non-members pay $5 extra as an Associate Membership fee, per film. (Total of $15)
All welcome. Cash only please – no Eftpos available.
Like us on Facebook or visit whangareifilmsociety.org to sign up for free updates each week on the films we're screening.
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🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
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If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
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