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A film by Kevin Lucas
Developed with assistance from Film Victoria.
35mm theatrical feature / 70mm large-format short feature
Warning:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that
the following pages may contain images and voices of deceased
persons.
STORY ABOUT
FEELING – as the bones of an old man are painted
and placed in a final resting place in a secret ancient funeral
ceremony a unique and compelling journey through the powerful
Australian landscape is borne; a cry from the spirit that
leads its audience, through the poetic words of indigenous
elder Bill Neidjie, to a deep understanding of themselves.
STORY ABOUT
FEELING is based on the words of a great man, Bill Neidjie
OAM, the keeper of ancient knowledge and the last remaining
Gagudju-speaking member of his Bunitj clan, who passed away
in 2002. An important and greatly respected Australian, Neidjie
was one of the key individuals responsible for having his
lands proclaimed Kakadu National Park, an environmental and
cultural listed World Heritage paradise.
STORY ABOUT
FEELING combines Neidjie's profound insight as an indigenous
elder with a compelling music-driven narrative and a detailed
visual exploration of Australia's powerful natural environment.
Adapted directly from Neidjie's acclaimed book and archival
sound recordings of him, this evocative and dramatic large
format film about the feeling of the land weaves together
the spectacular landscape of Kakadu with the cultural depth
of Neidjie's spiritual wisdom.
Listen carefully, careful
and this spirit e come in your feeling
and you will feel it...anyone that.
I feel it...my body same as you.
Based on ancient stories passed down to Neidjie, STORY ABOUT
FEELING is his gift to all people of all cultures.
It was his wish that this film be made.
STORY ABOUT FEELING
offers an ancient cultural knowledge that spans tens
of hundreds of generations, and demonstrates a profound respect
for country along with a living tradition that has been maintained
since the beginning of indigenous time. With his gentleness
of tone, wry humour and powerful and poetic language Neidjie
demands our respect and warns of the need for all people,
whatever their colour or creed, to live with respect for this
traditional Law, lest we all risk the consequences.
I telling
you this because the land for us,
never change round, never change.
Places for us, earth for us,
star, moon, tree, animal.
The film is a big
journey through awe-inspiring landscape that leads to a deeper
understanding of the feeling of the country and its natural
environment. Its music driven narrative together with
stunning visual exploration of the world heritage area surrounding
Kakadu National Park lends itself to the large format experience
like no other.
Music Arts Dance
Films is co-producing Story About Feeling, with Australia's
pre-eminent large-format practitioner, John Weiley.
Whilst targeted for national and international distribution,
the film could also find a permanent home as a site-specific
work in Kakadu.
MusicArtsDance films
Producers: Kevin Lucas, Aanya Whitehead
Consultant Producer: John Weiley
Associate Producer: Lois Randall
Director/Writer: Kevin Lucas
Co-Director/Performer: Djakapurra Munyarryun
Co-Writer: Keith Taylor
Co-Producer/Cultural Advisor: Jonathon Nadji
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