Bit of Black Business – Sharpeye (2007)
Synopsis
When 11-year-old Whalen (Ikaika Fa’aoso) sees a Special Forces dinghy approaching, he rushes to alert his Uncle Robert (Robert Poi Poi) of a potential invasion of their island in the Torres Strait. The men in the village change into army camouflage gear and prepare for battle. After a short skirmish, the Special Forces soldiers are forced to retreat. Whalen is complimented for his sharp eye and his support of the soldiers in their exercise and the islanders celebrate with a customary dance and a gun salute.
Curator’s notes
Written and directed by Aaron Fa’aoso, Sharpeye is inspired by an actual activity conducted by Charlie Company 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment and is also a tribute to the men who served in the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion.
Sharpeye was filmed by Torres Strait Islander cinematographer Eric Murray Lui in Bamaga in Cape York and Seisia in far-north Queensland. The film’s tones are warm for the day scenes, with iconic sunsets contrasted by a chilling blue for the night shoot. Edited by Shaun Seet, Sharpeye also features a blend of traditional and contemporary Torres Strait Islander music presented by sound designer Liam Egan.
Great effort was invested into emulating an authentic Australian Army experience by production designer Samuel Rickard, costume designer Xanthe Heubel and production manager Paula Jensen. The other actors who contributed to this were Dane Wasiu, Peni Nadredre, Ian Adidi, Louis William Fauid, Christopher Jawai, Torres Nadredre and Edmund Ober.
Sharpeye is a first film for Fa’aoso, a former footballer and health worker best known as an actor (East West 101, 2007–current). It was produced by Kath Shelper as part of the Bit of Black Business initiative by the Indigenous unit of the AFC, and premiered at the 2007 Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival in Sydney.
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