Banduk
| Banduk | |
|---|---|
| Written by | James Badger |
| Directed by | Di Drew |
| Starring | Bayulma Marika Garry McDonald Banduk Marika |
| Music by | Geoff Harvey |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Penelope Spence |
| Cinematography | Steve Dobson |
| Editor | Don Saunders |
| Running time | 90 mins |
| Production company | Nine Network |
| Original release | |
| Release | 1985 |
Banduk is a 1985 Australian television film shot in Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory of Australia.[1][2]
Plot
[edit]There is no dialogue in the film; the story is told in its imagery. The boy and girl (siblings) in the story (Banduk and Yalumul) realise that the ice-cream van owners are smuggling native animals out of Australia, including one of the Yolngu sacred animals, the red-collared lorikeet, or lindrij. With the help of Banduk's grandfather, they manage to trap the smugglers and are given a reward.[3][2]
The sub-plot involves the children raising money to buy musical instruments for their band.[2]
Cast
[edit]The cast is as follows:[2]
- Garry McDonald – Mr Kool
- Jone/Joan Winchester – Mrs Kool
- Bayulma Marika – Banduk[a][3]
- Yalumul Marika – Yalumul
- Roy Marika – Grandad
- Gurumin Marika – Father
- Banduk Marika – Aunt
- Tommy Munyurran – Police aide
Production
[edit]Renowned Yolngu artist Banduk Marika served as Aboriginal consultant, and also played the role of Aunt in the film. Roy Marika, Banduk's uncle and renowned artist, plays the grandfather.[2]
Release
[edit]The film was made by Channel 9 (now Nine Network) for the Second European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Drama Exchange for children, and released on Channel 9 in July 1985.[2] It was released in the UK by Thames Television.[5]
Reception
[edit]Cinema Papers gives the film a lukewarm review,[2] but The Sydney Morning Herald (Deirdre McPherson) called the film charming in its simplicity, and Bayulma Marika "most appealing as Banduk".[3]
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ Sometimes cited as Banula Marika, but a source for his role in Bedevil (1993) says that that was the first film role for Banula (David) Marika.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p11
- ^ a b c d e f g Guest, Sarah (22 September 2016) [1986]. "The parakeet connection". Cinema Papers: 52. Retrieved 25 July 2021 – via Issuu.
- ^ a b c McPherson, Deirdre (27 October 1986). "Homosexual rape at lunchtime? - - No thanks - young ones". Sydney Morning Herald. Section: The Guide. p. 6.
...their totem bird - the red collared Lorikeet or Lindrij... Bayulma Marika from the Yirrkala Dhanbul Community is most appealing as Banduk.
- ^ "Bedevil: When the unexplained happens [Press kit]" (PDF). Ronin Films. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
For the role of Stompie... Moffatt turned to the Bangarra Dance Theatre in Redfern, casting Banula Marika, a member of the famous Marika family of Arnhem Land... Banula had never acted before, but he had a quality of stillness which was exactly right.
- ^ "Banduk (1986)". BFI. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.