Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘culture’

38 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

0-9

40,000 Years of Dreaming: A Century of Australian Cinema documentary – 1996

Filmmaker George Miller is a big believer in applying Joseph Campbell’s musings on the hero’s journey to storytelling.

The 8th Wonder of the World sponsored film – 1973

This documentary coincided with the official opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973 and looks at the architecture, art and functions of the building.

A

Advertising Missionaries documentary – 1996

In their quest to find new consumers, multinational companies are using performance to reach isolated PNG highlanders.

Art documentary – 1974

This short, amusing and thoughtful animated documentary is full of debate about art and is a good starter for students.

B

Big Girls Don’t Cry documentary – 2002

This is about Indigenous women living with renal disease, and their strength pulls at the heart strings.

Black Harvest documentary – 1992

When coffee prices plunged, it sparked drama of epic proportions in this, the third film in a celebrated trilogy set in PNG.

Boys and Balls documentary – 1994

Greig Pickhaver and John Doyle, aka 'Roy and HG’, are the commentators: of course the sport theme is tackled with humour.

Bra Boys documentary – 2007

This first-hand look at localism and tribalism, identity and belonging, is set deep within Maroubra’s surf culture.

Bridewealth for a Goddess documentary – 1999

Bridewealth for a Goddess is a remarkable record of a ritual that may never be repeated.

Brisbane Dreaming documentary – 1994

Historical footage and re-enactments help tell stories about the Indigenous people who were displaced by Brisbane.

C

The Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Strait music – 1898

Yamaz Sibarud is a traditional song performed by ‘Maino of Yam’, recorded during an anthropological expedition to the Torres Strait in 1898.

Camera Natura short film – 1986

This montage film is about the spirit of the land: charting the contours of myth, geography and landscape.

Cannibal Tours documentary – 1987

Dennis O’Rourke highlights the absurdity of the interactions between 'civilised’ tourists and 'primitives’ in a PNG village.

Case 442 documentary – 2005

Case 442 is a personal testimonial to the effects of Aboriginal child removal policies, and the lifelong consequences it has had upon people who have endured being separated from their families and communities.

Cool Drink and Culture documentary – 2006

These three young women are passionate about passing on their knowledge of bush tucker to the Amunturrngu community’s children.

Crook Hat and Camphoo documentary – 2005

This is an episode of the important Nganampa Anwernekenhe TV series that aims to preserve indigenous language and culture.

D

The Djarn Djarns short film – 2005

The Djarn Djarns is a comedy-drama very much suited for young people. It is a dance film with a sports feel, so culture and sport are not in competition.

F

First Contact documentary – 1983

It was a gift to the filmmakers: seven rusty cans of film documenting ‘first contact’ between PNG people and three white brothers.

From Sand to Celluloid – Black Man Down short film – 1996

This short experimental drama offers a spiritual alternative to fighting the system. To overcome injustice, return to your spiritual roots for healing to take place.

I

Island Fettlers documentary – 2006

In the 1960s, Torres Strait Islander men moved to the Pilbara for work and stayed on. Island Fettlers starkly contrasts two cultures – visually, physically and aurally.

J

Jewboy short feature – 2005

Jewboy was well received locally and internationally, screening at the Cannes Film Festival and winning three AFI awards.

Jimmy Little’s Gentle Journey documentary – 2006

Jimmy Little’s softly softly style came under scrutiny during the heyday of 1970s Indigenous politics.

Joe Leahy’s Neighbours documentary – 1988

This was an excellent opportunity to make a contemporary film about the Papua New Guinea highlands and explore the society forming in the wake of Western contact.

M

Man Without Pigs documentary – 1990

The first Papua New Guinea man to become a professor returns to his small village to celebrate, but inadvertently creates antagonism when rituals aren’t adhered to.

Message Stick – Child Artists of Carrolup television program – 2003

This episode provides another perspective on the child removal policies and how the government of the day had specific designs on how half-caste children would occupy a place in society.

Mimi: An Evening with the Aboriginal Dance Theatre documentary – 1988

NAISDA led to the emergence of the Bangarra Dance Theatre and produced artists such as Christine Anu and Stephen Page.

N

Narbalek documentary – 2001

Narbalek is one of more than 100 documentaries made in the Nganampa Anwernekenhe Series, designed primarily for Indigenous audiences.

National Treasures – Cuc Lam’s Suitcase documentary – 2004

Vietnamese refugee Cuc Lam talks about how this small red vinyl bag was a symbol of a new beginning in a new country.

O

One Way Street: Fragments for Walter Benjamin documentary – 1992

One Way Street is a timely exploration of a figure who was on the way to being recognised among the great 20th century philosophers.

P

Palermo: ‘History’ Standing Still short film – 2004

Images of architecture and street life shot in Palermo in 1999 are edited as a mock-documentary to suggest a century of history, and to examine issues of authenticity in the period film.

S

Satellite Dreaming documentary – 1991

The creation of CAAMA was designed to produce media that would sustain a strong Indigenous identity with regional variations.

Summer Heights High – Episode 5 television program – 2007

Summer Heights High walks an interesting tightrope between observation and comedy, often seeming quite real and quite ridiculous at the same time.

Sydney Opera House Opening Concert music – 1973

A magical night in the history of Australian music: the first official concert in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

T

Taking Pictures documentary – 1996

Taking Pictures examines ethnographic filmmaking in Papua New Guinea and explores filming across cultural boundaries.

Torres Strait Islanders historical – 1898

A national treasure: the oldest film made of Torres Strait Islanders and of Aboriginal people. This film deserves national and international cultural icon status.

Trobriand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism documentary – 1976

This anthropological documentary covers the unique innovations made by the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea to the game of cricket.

V

Vanish documentary – 1998

Ivan Sen’s Vanish explores the history of the Gamilaroi people being moved onto Toomelah Reserve.

W

Wirrangul Women: Always Have, Always Will documentary – 2006

Elders Doreen and Gladys are the last speakers of the Wirangu language. They must find a way to pass their language and tradition on to younger generations.