The film's Official Director's Statement by
Sean McDonald reads:
''Everyone has an opinion on David Bromley.
I'd heard all the throwaway rumours about David - that he's a sell-out, or his paintings are just decorative. That he probably doesn't even paint anymore, or that he paints too much...
And then I saw people from all walks of life overcome with joy upon receiving one of his artworks.
What makes this artist so polarising?
I spent four years getting to know the Bromley's world by photographing various projects, and in the process I developed a close friendship with David and Yuge. We shared many late nights that would often end up in moving conversations about life's hardships, and also life's beauty. This is where I learnt how powerful and unique David's story is, and that it cannot be told through still images alone. David is an uncontrollable creative wrecking ball, and I knew that a film, rooted in observational documentary would be the best way to show this.
The uniqueness of this story lies within David's past. How do you turn your life around when all you feel is darkness? The conversation around mental health is taking place more frequently today, though stigma still surrounds sufferers. This story offers a deep insight into David's inner life and his road to overcoming these challenges.
As David himself says, "art saved my life". But that's just the beginning of this story. David upends the art world's limitations on what an artist should be, and its perception of commercial success.
My vision for this film is for it to be a relentless exploration of life. A story of a lost soul being found again, a story of overcoming an intense darkness to not only find beauty in the world but beauty within oneself too.
There will never be another David Bromley, a unique Australian treasure that audiences are bound to fall in love with and be inspired by. An artist who demonstrates why we shouldn't fear obsession, and how finding beauty is his life's work . Most importantly BROMLEY is a story of love prevailing over darkness.''
