Experiencing Interruptions?

What We'll Be

“What We’ll Be” delves into the impact of abuse on the course of a life, tracing a journey of transformation through the restorative power of nature, the strength of love, and the solace of friendship.

  • Lance Kelleher
    Director
  • Lance Kelleher
    Writer
  • Anna-Carin McNamara
    Writer
  • Lance Kelleher
    Producer
  • Anna-Carin McNamara
    Producer
  • Anna-Carin McNamara
    Key Cast
  • Hilma Franzen
    Key Cast
  • Rohan Zerna
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 19, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, Sweden
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Lance Kelleher

Lance Kelleher (b. 1961, New Zealand)

Lance grew up as a keen observer of life, shaped by his diverse heritage—Irish and Lebanese—and the contrasting worlds of rural and urban New Zealand. Early memories of fishing with his grandfather and navigating communal Maori households instilled in him a fascination with humanity’s raw beauty and resilience, even amidst hardship. His love of storytelling began with an old Leica M2 camera, a relic from his grandfather's war years, and grew through an obsession with cinema. Influenced by filmmakers like Tarkovsky, Kubrick, and Coppola, Lance discovered the power of images and narrative.

After making a short film as a teenager, he secured a film apprenticeship at 17, honing his craft in editing and storytelling. Thrust into the political turbulence of New Zealand’s 1981 anti-apartheid protests as a young editor, he developed a deep appreciation for photojournalism, inspired by figures like Tim Page. This experience cemented his passion for crafting stories that distill the human experience into powerful visuals.

Lance’s career as a commercial film director began during the MTV era, where his music video work gained recognition for its bold and innovative visual language. He went on to direct an extensive portfolio of commercial films, collaborating with global brands and agencies across 50 countries. His work combines technical precision with an emotive storytelling style that continues to resonate in the world of advertising and beyond.

Today, Lance resides in Sydney with his partner, Anna-Carin, where he balances his professional pursuits with a deep appreciation for family, life, and storytelling. A father, grandfather, and lifelong seeker, Lance blends his passion for “big pictures” and “small films” to explore life’s complexities and beauty.

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Director Statement

The forest holds truths we often forget. It’s a place of beauty, resilience, and renewal—qualities mirrored in Anna-Carin’s journey, which lies at the heart of What We’ll Be. Her story is one of contrasts: the innocence of childhood, shattered by cruelty, and the healing power of nature and connection that followed. This film is not just a reflection of her life but a meditation on the cycles of pain and growth we all experience.

Anna-Carin’s connection to the forest is elemental. It was her sanctuary as a child, a place where goodness was unquestionable and the rhythms of nature brought joy and belonging. But the intrusion of darkness—abuse and betrayal—fractured that innocence. For a time, the forest became a refuge from the world, a space to retreat and protect herself from the pain she carried. Over time, it also became a source of healing, reminding her of the enduring beauty and strength that life, like nature, offers in even the hardest moments.

This film is an intimate portrait of that transformation, told through Anna-Carin’s reflections and the landscapes that shaped her. The narration guides us through her memories, weaving together the playfulness of childhood, the rupture of trauma, and the quiet restoration that came through motherhood, creativity, and reconnection. The forest, with its cycles of decay and regrowth, echoes her journey: a story of survival, of finding light in the shadows, and of learning to trust in goodness once more.

For me, as her partner and director, this project was a profound act of collaboration. Anna-Carin’s openness allowed us to create something deeply personal yet universal—a story that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to guide us home. Through imagery that is both quiet and striking, we sought to capture the textures of her world: moss, boulders, water, and light, all speaking of renewal and endurance.

What We’ll Be is a film about healing and belonging. It’s about the goodness that is always present, even when it feels far away. Anna-Carin’s story reminds us that we carry our beginnings with us, that the beauty of life lies in its cycles, and that the truths of the forest are the truths of our own lives: resilient, ever-growing, and deeply connected.
This film is my love letter to Anna-Carin, to her strength, and to the quiet magic of the forest that continues to guide her. It’s a reminder that no matter how broken we may feel, life, like the forest, always offers us a way forward.