On DVD - Four early films by Warwick Thornton

I posted a short while ago to draw attention to a remarkable documentary by David Tranter which tells the story of his grandfather Willaberta Jack. Click on the link to take you to the post. Having now seen the film I can only say that nobody should write about Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country unless they have seen the preceding short. And (spoiler alert for this para) don’t read any further if you haven’t seen Sweet Country and don’t want to know about its shock ending where a bullet from nowhere brings the freed blackfella down. Tranter’s film details a far more subtle and even more vicious act of revenge, one that says much about the deep-seated and seemingly everlasting racist hatred that takes place in the Northern Territory against any black man who escapes whitefella “justice”. It’s truly shocking.

Now Andrew Pike of Ronin Films advises of a selection of four more short films, three docos and a drama, made under the aegis of CAAMA in the Northern Territory, all by Warwick Thornton  

Andrew writes:

You might be interested in this fascinating suite of short films (all 20-30 mins) - throws further light on SWEET COUNTRY and the people behind it.

Early films by Warwick Thornton, director of SWEET COUNTRY and WE DON’T NEED A MAP:

Thornton developed his filmmaking skills at CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) in Alice Springs where he emerged as a skilled cinematographer and director of a number of idiosyncratic and memorable short documentaries and a remarkable short drama.

Four of these early films are available from Ronin Films on DVD: Click on the links at the foot of each entry to take you through to the Ronin Films website.

THE OLD MAN AND THE INLAND SEA (2005, 20 mins)
Norman Hayes Jagamarra reflects on his years in the Coober Pedy area, fossicking for opals, and witnessing the devastating effect of alcohol on life in the diggings, and the social dislocation that followed for many

 The Old Man and the Inland Sea

TNORALA – BABY FALLING (2007, 22 mins)
Tnorala, in central Australia, is a breathtaking land formation that rises above the plains fringing the edge of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. It is a place of sacred importance to the Western Arrente people, who actively protect its beauty and integrity.
Tnorala - Baby Falling

ROSALIE’S JOURNEY (2003, 22 mins)
The story of Rosalie Kunoth-Monks who (as Ngarla Kunoth) gained fame in the leading role of Charles Chauvel’s legendary feature film, JEDDA, in 1955.
Rosalie's Journey

GREEN BUSH (2005, 26 mins)
A major award-winning drama about an Indigenous radio DJ on the nightshift at a remote community radio station. “A film that crackles with the music of politics, humanity, ideas and humour.” - Berlin Film Festival program notes.
Green Bush