MEDIA RELEASE
Level 5, 10 Hickson Road The Rocks Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Phone 61 2 8248 6500 Fax 61 2 8248 6599 sydneyfestival.org.au
SPEAR
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Cinemaplus and Brown Cab Productions, Australia
“A resonant addition to the dance-film canon that grapples with the troubled history of Australia’s indigenous population.” Variety
Photo: SPEAR © Edward Mulvihill
A contemporary Aboriginal story told through movement and dance, SPEAR is Stephen Page’s directorial debut feature film. Collaborating with dancers and creatives from the highly acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre (of which Page is Artistic Director) and Arenamedia (The Turning, Paper Planes), SPEAR brings a visually stunning dance work to the screen.
In this ground-breaking work, we follow the journey of a young Aboriginal man, Djali, as he tries to understand what it means to be a man with ancient traditions in a modern world.
An act of urgent storytelling, SPEAR addresses the understanding and awareness of the long and often painful history of European colonisation in Australia and its effect on the Indigenous population. Co-written by Page and Justin Monjo, the film is a poignant reflection of the continuing cultural connection of Aboriginal people to land, spirit and each other.
Originally created in 2000 as a dance theatre work for the stage, SPEAR broke new ground - utilising song and spoken word, and demonstrating Page’s desire to creatively push boundaries. Inspired to reimagine his storytelling in other art forms, Page had thought SPEAR would best lend itself to a screen adaptation.
Featuring original cast member Hunter Page-Lochard, SPEAR is a celebration of family, of spirit, and of hope. For Page, it wasn’t just making a film about dance or creating a dance work for film.
“It was about creating something else – a distinctive cinematic experience that draws on the uniqueness of our live theatre performances and transferring this into a film, maintaining the energy and sprit that has become synonymous with Bangarra,” explains Page.
Director and co-writer Stephen Page was born in Brisbane and is a descendant of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation. He was appointed Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre in 1991 and has developed a significant body of work.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander organisation and one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. Bangarra is widely acclaimed nationally and around the world for their powerful dancing, distinctive theatrical voice and unique soundscapes, music and design.
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Level 5, 10 Hickson Road The Rocks Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Phone 61 2 8248 6500 Fax 61 2 8248 6599 sydneyfestival.org.au
Bangarra’s relationships with Indigenous communities are the heart of the company, with its repertoire created on Country and stories gathered from respected community Elders. It’s this inherent connection to land and people that makes Bangarra celebrated from remote Australian regional centres to New York.
SPEAR traverses outback Australia and the gritty streets of Sydney in an intimate journey that brings a modern day myth to the screen.
Director Stephen Page Producer John Harvey Executive Producers Robert Connolly, Liz Kearney Co-Writers Stephen Page, Justin Monjo Composer David Page Editor Simon Njoo Cinematographer Bonnie Elliott Production Designer Jacob Nash Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin Cultural Consultant/Traditional Choreography Djakapurra Munyarryun Cast Hunter Page-Lochard (Djali), Djakapurra Munyarryun (Big Man), Aaron Pedersen (Suicide Man), Elma Kris (Old Lady), Yolande Brown (Earth Spirit), Waangenga Blanco (Dingo Man), Leonard Mickelo (Abused Man), Daniel Riley (Prison Man / Wedge Tail), Kaine Sultan-Babij (Androgynous Man), Beau Dean Riley Smith (Alcohol Man),Nicola Sabatino (Woman of Desire), Romeo Munyarryun (Romeo), Demala Wunungmurra (Old Man)
Where Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
When 23 January at 7.30pm 24 January at 2pm
Duration 84 minutes (no interval)
Price A Reserve $25
Bookings Sydney Festival on 1300 856 876 Sydney Opera House on 02 9250 7777 sydneyfestival.org.au/spear
For interviews and further information contact:
Jessica Keirle, Publicity Manager, 02 8248 6525 / 0438 805 109 [email protected] Cath Hayes, Publicist, 02 8248 6546 / 0431417112 [email protected] Julia Barnes, Publicist, 02 8248 6538 / 0402 678 589 [email protected]
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