Over 27 days in October 2013, parts of Candelo, Wyndham and Tilba were turned into film sets for director Tom Cowan, his cast and crew. 

Set in the 1920s, the film is described as a whimsical comedy about a farm girl who became a life class model. 

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Cowan said he got the idea for the film while he was in Wyndham working on a road for a friend. Exhausted, he took a break and the idea came while he was day dreaming surrounded by the beauty of the bush. 

He described Life Class as a very special movie that featured an explosion of talent and he was extremely thankful to the Bega Valley residents whose skills he used in the project. 

But the road to the final edit was paved with a few difficulties.

“For one reason or another I decided to edit the film - and I’m slow! 

“The sound design also took a long time, but I think the soundtrack is really lovely,” Mr Cowan said.

“I also got cancer during part of the film, but cancer couldn’t stop the movie.

“I’ve recovered now, but this seemed to fit how the film is about the recovery of a town through the power of art.” 

The theme of the healing power of art drives the story, in which a Frenchman comes to Australia shell shocked after World War 1. 

The town he arrives in is in need of healing, as it too was devastated by the war.  

“This is the most enjoyable film I’ve worked on in over 50 years,” Mr Cowan, who also described the film as a love story, said. 

“[The Frenchman] wants to see the beauty God has granted and I guess that’s what I wanted to do, is for people to see the beauty of the South Coast.” 

Life Class will screened at the Picture Show Man, Merimbula on October 24 from 6.30pm and run for one week. It will be accompanied by a touring art exhibition featuring works inspired by the film, which will be launched on October 15 at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre from 5pm.