A genius discovers a profound gift of healing by following his observations, intuition, and heart. His work and legacy impact the lives of millions of people.

Interview with Director Sean Dobra and Producer Helen Dobra

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This film is an Australian gem story about a genius who dedicated his life to helping others and created something special that has benefited many people. We were committed to making this film because we believe this unique story will inspire others and make a difference. This film was a passion project born out of my sister's desire to share the miracle of Tom's work. Interestingly, the lead actor Ben DeCastella who played Mr Tom Bowen, claimed to receive messages from him. We always felt that the spirit of Tom Bowen was guiding us to share his gift with the world. We faced many challenges over the five years of creating this film and felt the process was transformational.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This film will move and inspire you to live with purpose. If you are interested in a heart-felt documentary drama or Mind-body spirit, you will LOVE this film. It is a beautiful Australian story that is profoundly moving and likely bring you to tears, as it did to us many times while editing it. We have been told, "The film is therapy".

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film strongly connects personal and universal themes, including our connection with the daily struggles and hardship of family life and making ends meet, a deep love story, the humanitarian in us all and the will to help others and alleviate suffering, and our human potential. Mr Tom Bowen, a simple hard-working Aussie battler (set in the 1960s), discovers he has a healing gift whilst working at the cement works in Geelong. His family life changes as word gets out and people flock to experience his healing hands; he becomes known as the 'miracle man'. Despite her debilitating condition, Ossie, a sheep farmer, is besotted by his newfound love Elaine. He is committed to helping her and travels far and wide to find an answer. By chance, he is introduced to Mr Tom Bowen, and this union changes the course of their lives as Tom cures Elaine, and Ossie becomes one of the few selected to learn his work. Tragically, Tom passes before his time, and on his deathbed, Ossie promises to take his work to the world. Interwoven in the story are interviews from Tom's family and patients sharing the life of Tom. As well as Ossie and Elaine, who are heroes in their community, have created an empire of over 30,000 Bowen Therapists around the world. Experts share their views on how this state-of-the-art technique impacts the body to change the brain and bring about self-healing through rebalancing the Autonomic nervous system, the driver of all body functions. This therapy is suitable for any condition, age, and chronic and mental health, with mental and chronic health on the expediential rise. There is no better time than now to share Tom's gift with the world through this film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Being a docudrama, the script evolved a lot during the 5-year production. At first, there was little information on the mystery man known as Tom Bowen, but as we began investigating through hundreds of interviews, the story began to open and became much richer as we were able to piece together the personality of this genius and devoted character.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Many people get emotional at the film's end and are moved by Tom Bowens' story and the love story of Oswald and Elaine Rentsch. In the feedback group, people are often enlightened with a new understanding of how the body works. Many still do not know what the fascia is, even though it holds the entire body together. So far, the feedback has been outstanding.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We were surprised by how positive the feedback has been. Bowen Therapy has a huge community, and many people could be upset or disappointed with the direction we chose to take in the film. Although it has not been publicly screened, all supporters within the community who have seen it have only received positive accolades. We hope this continues as it goes out to the public.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

At this time, inspiration, wisdom, and natural health are so crucial to humanity, given the current climate. We are committed to sharing Tom's healing gift with the world, as so many people are in need. The medical system is currently imploding with mental health and chronic health patients. We hope that We Are Moving Stories would be a wonderful platform to get our film out and educate people about Bowen therapy at a much-needed time. This will pave the way to gain further exposure and help us fulfil our goal of having the film featured on Netflix within 12 months.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We need the right sales agent or distributor to come on board to help us achieve our vision of having the film featured on Netflix.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We would love to see people inspired by this film and get them thinking about their intuition, values, legacy, and what they can do to make a difference.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Humans have evolved over millions of years with an extraordinary potential to self-heal. Since the industrial age, we have become more separated from nature and ourselves in many ways. As a species, have we given our healing power away and become too reliant on pharmaceutical medication?

Would you like to add anything else?

We are very excited to be doing so well in the festival circuit. So far we have received three awards in the US, and we are very grateful that this film is being received so well.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

From Depression With Love - This controversial film looks deep into depression to discover the underlying cause and the best-unsuspected way to treat it.

Interview: May 2023

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

These Two Hands

A genius discovers a profound gift of healing by following his observations, intuition, and heart. His work and legacy impact the lives of millions of people.

Length: 1:15:00

Director: Sean Dobra

Producer: Helen Dobra

Writer: Sean Dobra, Helen Dobra

About the writer, director and producer:

SEAN DOBRA is a multi-award-winning producer, director, and cinematographer. After completing a bachelor of film production in 2012, he founded his own company, Starmax Films, which specialises in producing inspirational, educational and empowering films. Seans is a writer, actor, director and producer.

HELEN DOBRA is a passionate health expert and filmmaker. She specialises in producing inspirational and educational films about health, well-being, spirituality and abundance.

Key cast: Ben De Castella, Sean Dobra, Nataleigh Maree Elzein, Nick Stevens

Looking for: distributors and sales agents

Facebook: These Two Hands - Bowen Therapy Documentary

Instagram: @bowentherapydocumentary

Hashtags used: #thesetwohands #tombowen #thestoryofbowentherapy

Website: starmaxfilms.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Starmax Films, Natural Therapy Institute

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival/Cinema Nova - 29/07 (6:30pm)