July 2 â 3 - Sydney Opera House
July 2 â 3 - Sydney Opera House
July 2 â 3 - Sydney Opera House
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Mimi<br />
Title: Mimi<br />
Style: Comedy<br />
Directed by: Warwick Thornton<br />
Produced by: Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale<br />
Synopsis<br />
Catherine (Sophie Lee) buys two pieces of Indigenous art, a painting of a barramundi and a statue of a Mimi<br />
for investment purposes. She has no knowledge of the cultural significance of these pieces. When she brings<br />
them home to her pristine apartment mysterious things happen. The ‘pretty fish’ disappears and the Mimi<br />
statue comes to life. Jonathan (Aaron Pederson), a ‘real Aborigine’, is called in to rid the apartment of the<br />
Mimi presence.<br />
Key Concepts<br />
• Stereotypes of Indigenous identity<br />
• Commodification of Indigenous art<br />
Focus Questions<br />
• What is a Mimi?<br />
• “Do you know any real Aborigines?” What stereotype of Indigenous people is Catherine referring too?<br />
• Does the character of Jonathan support this stereotype?<br />
• How diverse are Indigenous communities throughout Australia?<br />
• Catherine describes the barramundi as a ‘pretty fish’ and the Mimi as a ‘little man’. Discuss the<br />
commodification of Indigenous art.<br />
• Why has the filmmaker chosen the genres of comedy, magical realism and horror to convey his<br />
message?<br />
• What role does alcohol play in Catherine’s social life? Contrast this to the stereotypes surrounding<br />
consumption of alcohol by Indigenous people.<br />
• Why has the filmmaker included details such as the American Express card, Vogue and the American<br />
emergency number of 911?<br />
• How does the soundtrack help to describe the characters of Catherine and Jonathan?<br />
Message Sticks Teacher Kit 2008 ©ACMI 38
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