Bran Nue Dae Director: Rachel Perkins Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Missy Higgins, Tom Budge, Deborah Mailman, Magda Szubanski, Ningali Lawford, Dan Sultan Writers: Jimmy Chi, Rachel Perkins, Reg Cribb Stephen Pigram, Patrick Duttoo Bin Amat, Michael Manolis Mavromatis, Kuckles Producers: David Whealy, Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street, Robyn Kershaw, Graeme Isaac, Glennie Allan, Andrea Distefano, Catherine Bishop Original Music: Cezary Skubiszewski Music Producer: David Bridie Cinematographer: Andrew Lesnie Film Editor: Rochelle Oshlack Choreographer: Stephen Page Running Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes REBEL REVOLTS: Willie (Rocky McKenzie) refuses to join the priesthood in the film musical Bran Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films. Bran Nue Dae is the brainchild of Asian-Aborigine writer/composer/director Jimmy Chi, who included some of his own life experiences of relationships, indigenous land rights, self discovery and religion into what began as a stage musical production in Western Australia in 1990, and then became a documentary which explored the issues behind the stage musical in greater depth. Jimmy Chi and Broome band Kuckles collaborated with other friends to bring his idea to life, with a blend of spirirual/rock/reggae/blues music accompanying the story of a teenage Aborigine's journey 'home'. It is a metaphor where 'home' is symbolic of his consciousness and relates to his understanding of his place in the world and among his people. Director Rachel Perkins (Radiance) has made Bran Nue Daeinto a feel-good, humourous and inspirational film featuring an excellent cast, brilliant songs and music. Bran Nue Dae's vibrancy, energy and comedy is a refreshing change in Australian cinema where most of the locally- produced films in the past year had very grim and depressing themes storylines. The story is set in the summer of 1969 and follows a teenage boy named Willie who lives in Broome with his religious mother Theresa, and his attempt win the heart of local songstress Rosie. Willie's mum sends him off to a Catholic boarding school in Perth and under the watchful eye of Father Benedictus, he is groomed to become a priest. Unfortunately, Willie succumbs to peer pressure ROCKIN' ROSIE: Lester (Dan Sultan) and disobeys one of the ten commandments - "thou shalt has his eyes on the lovely singer Rosie (Jessica Mauboy) in the film musical Bran not steal". He refuses a beating as punishment from Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films. Father Benedictus and runs away from the boarding school to find his way home to Broome. Along the way Willie meets some colourful, confused and comic characters who are also part of his path to self-discovery. The ensemble cast is a joy to watch with some familiar faces already cemented in our hearts and minds from television, music, stage and film backgrounds. The most recognisable face among the talented cast is Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush who brings an air of religious righteousness mixed with dry wit and humour to his character the German priest, Father Benedictus; Rocky McKenzie is PRIESTLY PURSUITS: Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush) is hot convincing as the rebellious teenager, on the trail of runaway teenager Willie in the film musical Bran Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films. Willie, and his singing voice is marvellous; singer and song writer Missy Higgins is wonderful in her feature film debut as a daffy and affable hippie named Annie who possesses a strong sense of spirituality; Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy also makes her film debut, and steals almost every scene as Rosie, when she sings, dances and acts with confidence and panache; one of the original cast members of Bran Nue Dae the stage musical is Ernie Dingo who reprises his role as Uncle Tadpole in the film. Ernie Dingo provides a spirited and amusing presence as the homeless drunk who becomes a friend and father figure to Willie. The supporting cast is terrific with Tom Budge as Annie's sceptical German boyfriend Slippery; Deborah Mailman, whom Rachel Perkins directed in Radiance, shines in her brief appearances as the "good-time" girl Roxanne who tries to deflower Willie under the condom tree; and comedienne Magda Szubanski is a hoot and relishes her cameo role as a mad but flirty Roadhouse MUSICAL MUSINGS: Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo) and Betty. Annie (Missy Higgins) share a love for music in the film musical Bran Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films. Bran Nue Dae boasts equally fine talent behind the camera, with New South Welshman and Oscar winner Andrew Lesnie as cinematographer. Andrew Lesnie, who worked with Peter Jackson on The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, King Kong andThe Lovely Bones, brings the rural beauty of Western Australia to the forefront and the spectacular wide open spaces are WATER WONDERS : Annie (Missy Higgins) and her boyfriend Slippery (Tom Budge) bathe used to great effect. in the waterhole in the film musical Bran Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films. Some of the songs from the original stage musical were dropped and new ones added, such as the rock/blues rendition of 'Stand By Your Man' which is beautifully sung by Jessica Mauboy in the film. Musical producer David Bridie, a Melbourne musician and band member of My Friend The Chocolate Cake, brings his skills to the film where he shows flair for composing scores which evoke emotion and stimulates the senses. Songs from the stage musical which feature in the film include the joyful song title 'Bran Nue Dae', the catchy 'Nothing I Would Rather Be (Than To Be An Aborigine)', and the gentle and FINDING FAMILY: Father Bendictus (Geoffrey Rush) and Theresa ( Ningali calming ballad 'Afterglow' sung with Lawford) reveal family connections to Slippery (Tom Budge) in the film musical Bran Nue Dae . Image: Roadshow Films . heartfelt sincerity by Missy Higgins. Bran Nue Dae only touches lightly on many political/social issues affecting Aborigines such as alcoholism, land rights/native title, and racism. The film doesn't make the indigenous people appear as political targets, instead it gives a voice to Aborigines to express the messages from an Aboriginal perspective of everyday social issues. The film's characters strongly communicate the message that everyone shares common human values and relationships HAPPY HOME : Willie (Rocky McKenzie) prefers Broome regardless of race or religion. as his home instead of Perth in the film musical Bran Nue Bran Nue Dae is an entertaining and joyous Dae . Image: Roadshow Films musical comedy and road movie that will lift your spirits and inspire you to look forward to your own brand new day. .