Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Dream and the Dreaming (2003)

play May contain names, images or voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Nudity
clip The twins

This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

Historical footage shows the missionaries and Arrernte peoples of Hermannsburg, known as the Ntaria people. The missionaries must learn Arrernte as it is Lutheran practice to preach the gospel in the language of the people.

Curator’s notes

There are two positions here; one of a people who are Ancient and whose belief system spans thousands and thousands of years, and a culture that in comparison is relatively new. The documentary features hymns sung by the Ntaria women’s choir that are hauntingly beautiful.