This is the extroardinary story of one YolÅ‹u man’s 45 year life journey fighting for the political and spiritual freedom of his people. Unflinching in his delivery, yet soft in his humanity - Rev Dr Gondarra OAM has a confronting and urgent message for Australians and the world as he illuminates the long standing paradigm that controls us all.
THE FILM
Filmed over 5 years in Northeast Arnhem Land and as a result of a 16 year friendship, Luku Ngarra - The Law of the Land is a confronting and intimate journey into the world of the Yolŋu First Nations of Australia.
At its centre is a remarkable man, the late Rev Dr Gondarra OAM, who was a tireless beacon for freedom and justice for Indigenous Australians for the last 50 years, as well as a highly respected clan leader, traditional lawman, spiritual leader and civil rights activist.
The film will deeply challenge audiences' understanding of the Yolŋu world, the crisis currently facing remote Indigenous communities today, and offer a better way forward that upholds the dignity, respect and sovereignty of the oldest living culture in the world.
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It offers viewers a fascinating exploration of their customary law and how it has kept Yolŋu people in balance with the environment and with each other for tens of thousands of years. Following true to Dr Gondarra's well known straight talk, he and many other Yolŋu present how their law has been completely at odds with the dominant mainstream paradigm which has in effect created chaos to their lives and the environment.
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By opening big questions that require a humanitarian response, audiences will be compelled to question their own world and the views and structures that come with it.
The film is a timely vehicle of wisdom from one of Australia's most respected Indigenous Elders, that addresses the challenges of our times with soul and compassion.
Its' director, Sinem Saban has been closely interwoven with the Yolŋu of Northeast Arnhem Land for more than 20 years, and directed the award-winning and groundbreaking documentary on Indigenous rights - Our Generation (2010).
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'The wisdom and reverence of this incredible man and his people will deeply affect you for the rest of your life, as they have mine.'
- Director, Sinem Saban
OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER
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Keeping true to the values and priorities of Director Sinem Saban's entire career in making
film and media content, this is a genuine independent and Indigenous funded production.
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To date Sinem has funded majority of the film herself with the generous help from Arnhem Land Progress Association and a crowd funding campaign which helped propel the film forward in the early days.
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During post production the film received funding from Aboriginal Resource Development (ARDS),
AIP Collective, Bio-Distributors and philanthropy to help us get over the line.
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We appreciate any ongoing support to help move this film forward into the future.
We have a particular focus now on developing Dr Gondarra's extended Truth Telling resources
using the 50 hours of additional footage that was not used in the film.
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