Flinders ‘micro-docs’ mark NAIDOC Week on NITV

Flinders students Haidarr Jones and Joel Brown shooting their micro-documentary 'Uncle Genty'.
Flinders Screen and Media students Haidarr Jones and Joel Brown shooting their micro-documentary ‘Uncle Gundy’. Photo: Jeni Lee

A touching tale of Aboriginal cultural connections to the sea, and a film exploring some of Adelaide’s little known sacred sites, have been the vehicles for Flinders University  to showcase its creative talents on national television.

Flinders University’s Department of Screen and Media has made a special contribution to NAIDOC Week by producing ‘Micro-docs’ for National Indigenous TV (NITV).

‘Uncle Gundy’ is a micro-documentary produced and directed, respectively, by Flinders students Haidarr Jones and Joel Brown.

It explores a scenario in which Uncle Gundy, Tyrone Power and Tyrone’s young son fish together and discuss the cultural significance of the sea to the Narungga people.

Through their discussion, they look at the different levels of learning that are shared through generations to show how the ocean is looked after and respected.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/470114371958/uncle-gundy

Flinders graduate Nara Wilson’s production, ‘A Time for Reflection’ brings Kaurna elder Uncle Stevie Gadlabarti Goldsmith to the screen, where he shares his thoughts and perceptions of NAIDOC Week.

Uncle Stevie goes on to talk about how far Australia has come as a country, and educates viewers about some of Adelaide’s sacred sites. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/469111875729/a-time-for-reflection

The productions, funded and supported by the South Australian Film Corporation, are a highlight of NAIDOC week celebrations (5-12 July), of which Adelaide is the host city.

Five South Australian Film Corporation funded micro-docs were produced to celebrate the event – all by emerging South Australian based filmmakers.

Flinders University’s Head of Screen and Media, Dr Alison Wotherspoon, said it was a great opportunity for the Flinders filmmakers to demonstrate their skills while also supporting NAIDOC Week.

“We are very proud of the work produced by our graduate Nara Wilson and our current students Haidarr and Joel,” said Dr Wotherspoon. “They have made a significant contribution to the SAFC NAIDOC initiative, and it is exciting to see the work of talented young South Australian indigenous screen practitioners being screened on NITV.”

For more information on NITV’s NAIDOC week showings, go to: http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/06/30/naidoc-week-nitv

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