Mining The Blue Mountains: An Interview with James O’Connor

Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Mining The Blue Mountains’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?

My film making journey started a bit before COVID. I produced a couple of small impact films in the aftermath of the 2019 Black Summer bushfires but both were hit by bad luck and never received a wide release. So I was determined to find a partner and story to produce a film that would finally see the light of day! During COVID lockdowns I refined my style and found a couple of partners to work with. After moving to Wollongong my first film “The People Against Russel Vale Mine” introduced me to Dr Ian Wright and led to our partnership.

Tell us about ‘Mining The Blue Mountains’. How do you describe it?

Mining The Blue Mountains is the visual representation of renowned water scientist Dr Ian

Wright who spent 10 years investigating the effects of derelict mines in the Blue Mountains area on waterways. Blue Mountains is a UNESCO world heritage site and visited by millions of tourists every year. Some of these mines have been shut for over a century, were never remediated and still leak pollution into waterways relied on by local towns. Mining The Blue Mountains brings Dr Ian Wrights research to the big screen.

Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

Jimmy Chin, produces incredible mountain and adventure films. Werner Herzog, creator of chaos and not bound by limits of reality. I love gritty documentary films that aren’t over produced and don’t have the Netflix formula.

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

I want to combine my love of travelling with film making. I have a few ideas in mind, one involves a former USSR bloc country and its time under the iron curtain, another is set in a desert town in remote NSW. Both require time and a good budget.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

In a previous life I was an account/project manager so I am used to managing small teams and reverse managing clients to ensure projects stay on track. Working with a scientist who is not creatively minded at all required me to manage all aspects of the creative process, Ian just lined up interview subjects and locations.

What was the hardest part of making ‘Mining The Blue Mountains’.

The hardest part of making this film was the physical side, we had to hike and climb into steep canyons to document the remote locations. Some days involved multiple remote locations and 15km hikes with all the production equipment.

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

I am currently working on a music documentary series for Australian based label and tour

promoter Bird’s Robe. We commenced filming in 2023 around Australia and Europe filming interviews, concerts and festivals. To date we have released 6 episodes with more slated for 2026. As for the future I am currently planning a sequel to Mining The Blue Mountains which will commence filming next year. It will provide an update on what has happened since 2021 and perhaps unearth more sites of concern. My main aim is to keep making films that bring attention to passion projects and hopefully bring change.