Documentary Feature / USA Director: David Manougian Featured Subject: Michael Nelms This review is part of my coverage of 2015’s Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. Click here for more of my coverage of the festival. You can find my coverage of other Indianapolis area film and TV events here. The Big Lonely opens with a statement saying it is a documentary shot entirely by its main character with no production crew present. As the film’s subject Michael Nelms sets a fire, the viewer is instantly immersed into this story of a man isolated and alone in the wilderness for almost a decade.