Kaja-warnu-jangka 'From the bush'

Abstract

A new Australian documentary film, about two senior Warlpiri men in Lajamanu community, NT, has just been released, coinciding with National Reconciliation Week. Kaja-warnu-jangka 'From the bush' is a unique biographical tribute to two senior Warlpiri men, Jerry Patrick Jangala OAM and Henry Cook Jakamarra, who tell their own narratives of their remarkable lives over 85+ years. Dynamically bringing together previously unpublished footage, oral histories and photographs from over many years, it shows historical aspects of a remote desert community and the living endurance of traditional values of kinship and law. Expounding the themes of courageous resilience and embrace of change, it is the product of a collaboration by PAW Media Warlpiri film-maker, Maxwell Walma Tasman Japanangka and ANU linguist, Carmel O'Shannessy. It was inspired by people in the community suggesting the need to document the two senior men's lives. The film is mostly in Warlpiri, with subtitles in English. It runs for 1hr 09 mins.