![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/10\/TommyFranklin_74315.jpg\")
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Franklin decided to take a break from society in 2023 and go into the wilderness in Tasmania, living off-grid in a cabin with no electricity for seven months.<\/p>\n
He began hand-weaving clothes out of blankets he bought in op shops, and since returning to Byron has found a new vocation making one-off custom clothing.<\/p>\n
“I wanted to capture the new side of Tommy in the film, coming back from Tasmania with a newfound love of life,” Lundmark said.<\/p>\n
The seven-minute documentary was filmed during a five-day road trip through the Northern Rivers and surrounding areas with Lundmark and his twin brother Sebastian, with whom he co-founded Rest Your Eyes Productions in 2008.<\/p>\n
“We just capture his view on life basically and how it’s changed by constantly having to reinvent himself,” Lundmark said.<\/p>\n
“He’s gone through some dark times, but he knows what it takes to stay happy, and I think that’s important.”<\/p>\n
While many people say Byron Bay has lost its soul and creatives are being pushed out by high rents, Lundmark said it’s good to see people like Franklin are still around \u2013 as well as people like himself pursuing their passion.<\/p>\n
“This region still has a lot to offer the creative community,” he said.<\/p>\n
Out of the Wild will screen as part of the BBIFF’s Through the Local Lens session at Brunswick Picture House on October 26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BYRON Bay identity Tommy Franklin is the star of a heartwarming documentary screening as part of the Byron Bay International Film Festival. Local filmmaker Jonatan Lundmark said he has known Franklin, who was a finalist in the 2013 series of Australia’s Got Talent, for 15 years. “He became quite well-known in Byron just from dancing […]<\/p>\n