Bay film-makers' idea resonates with many

"If I lived to be 130 years old I would still have enough ideas to keep us very busy."
Spend time with Barbara Sumner-Burstyn and one can't help but become inspired.
She's elegant and demure, with a slicked-back high bun, thick clear-framed glasses and an oversized wrap draped over her shoulders.
At the same time, she looks comforting, with a warm smile, and her feet tucked up on her seat.
Her husband, Tom Burstyn, the other half of the team that makes up Cloud South Films, is the same.
Not only does his mouth smile, his eyes do too.
"Ideas are the easy part," he says with a laugh. '
'It's the execution that's the hard work but our new thing is one job at a time."
The pair have just arrived home to Bay View after spending five weeks in the UK and Germany, where one of their ideas took one of the most recognised film festivals by storm.
Three weeks were spent filming a new documentary in London. The other two weeks were spent at the Berlin International Film Festival with their Hawke's Bay-based documentary, This Way of Life, which opens in Havelock North today.
Three screenings were held in Berlin and all 1000 seats at each screening were sold.
 Barbara and Tom spent four years documenting the life of Peter and Colleen Karena, of Omahu, and their extraordinary relationship with the land, their horses, their six children and each other.
One of the most moving lines in the movie - there are loads, by the way - comes from Peter as he's brushing aside his untamed locks and gearing up his horse.
"What do I do for a living? I live for a living."
The idea for the film came about after seeing Peter ride by their home on one of his beloved horses. Delving a little deeper, they knew the project would be something special.
"They were just so cool with where they were going in life and had strong philosophies.
"How lucky were we that they were just so smart?
"It just all had to do with gaining their trust."
Much of the film was narrated by the oldest son, Llewelyn, who travelled to the Berlin International Film Festival with Barbara, Tom and mum Colleen.
While the Burstyns returned home, Colleen and Llewelyn decided to stay and travel around Europe until the Easter school holidays.
Peter was believed to be having his own adventure, looking after the other children at home.
The message of a life lived outside a world of consumerism has resonated around the world. The film was chosen for the Palm Springs International Festival, which sold out a week before showing. It also screened to sellout houses at the New Zealand and Vancouver international film festivals.
The self-funded independent film has also secured European and New Zealand distribution.
One of Barbara's most memorable moments in Berlin occurred when a woman draped in diamonds stopped Colleen after one screening.
"She said to Colleen we have very different lives but share the same problems," Barbara said.
"She was crying, very taken by the film.
"People from all walks of life and all ages take something from this film.
"It doesn't matter who we are, we still have the same desires, hopes and dreams for our own families," Barbara said.