Bran Nue Dae

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Thematic issuesCarry out the following activities, all of which are thematicallyconnected.Indigenous AustraliaAs an introduction to this topic, discuss in class thenwrite a commentary on the range of Indigenous issuesthat are touched upon or raised during Bran Nue Dae,including the relationship between Aboriginal culture andEuropean-Australian society.Discuss the way in which the film depicts and presentsAboriginal homelessness, unemployment and alcoholism.Do you think the film takes a critical stance towardsthe characters who are portrayed in this situation or not?Draw on examples from the film to support your views.Imagine a situation where twodifferent newspapers, each cateringto a specific audience, publisheditorials about ‘parkies’ sittingaround campfires in thebig city (as presented in thescene after Willie escapesfrom his school in Perth).One newspaper is a majorcity tabloid aimed at a general,predominantly whitereadership; the other is a small weekly newspaper run byand for Indigenous Australians.Write the two editorials, in 250–300 words each. Carefullyconsider the audiences you are aiming at andtherefore the editorial’s content, viewpoint and style.When you have finished, add an explanation as to whythe approach you have taken in one editorial is differentfrom the approach taken in the other.Proofread and edit your editorials, then use desktoppublishing software to format them in newspaperfashion. Ensure you give each editorial an appropriateheadline.The effect of Christian missionaries on the lives andeducation of Indigenous Australians is an important elementof the film. Discuss how this is presented in BranNue Dae and the ways in which it impacts on characterssuch as Theresa, Willie, Uncle Tadpole and Rosie.In commenting on the location of Broome and JimmyChi’s cultural background, the film’s press kit suggeststhat Broome was a place of many cultures where –despite the best efforts of the government to keep themapart – cultures, races and religions mixed. Many inBroome had multiple identities. For example, you couldbe Aboriginal Chinese Japanese Scottish like JimmyChi. ‘You could also be both a saint and a sinner (not soin Perth, where you had to be one or the other).’Discuss in class whether the film version of Bran NueDae supports the statement about saints and sinners.There are two sequences in the film where charactersconfess to committing sins. Describe these twosequences and the outcome of each. Discuss, withevidence, whether they are similar to, or different from,each other.Carry out research on the history of Christian involvementin the lives of Indigenous Australians. To whatextent was this involvement productive or disruptive forAboriginal children, families and culture? Plan and writea commentary on this issue in 350–400 words.SCREEN EDUCATION6
theme of racial reconciliation, in terms of plot events,physical movement and gestures of characters, andsong and dance.Also consider whether there is an underlying element ofsatire and irony in these scenes, especially through theuse of Anglo-American stage and movie musical genrecharacteristics. (Note that Jimmy Chi, the original creatorof the play, spent his childhood and youth watchingAmerican movies screened at Sun Pictures.)A major element of the relationship between Indigenousand non-indigenous cultures in Australia is played outsatirically via the relationship between Uncle Tadpole,Slippery and Annie. It is not simply a case of blatantracial prejudice nor of the dominant culture oppressing aminority culture. Discuss these two combined propositions,drawing examples from Bran Nue Dae to supportyour views.Discuss in class then write a commentary on the ways inwhich the history of European colonialism and the resultingdislocation and oppression of Aboriginal peoples isexamined in Bran Nue Dae through the roles of UncleTadpole and Willie. Concentrate on the visuals of thenight-time dream sequence in the police lockup cells.What is the story told throughout these visuals? In whatway is visual symbolism used? Why do you think thecentral character shifts from Uncle Tadpole to Willie?Following from the previous activity, listen carefully tothe lyrics of ‘Listen to the News’ as sung during thedream sequence. Discuss in class what you think thissong is about. What, for example, is the ‘news’ of thetitle? Explain the emotional impact of the song uponyou and upon audiences generally. For example, is itdepressing and negative, or does it raise our spirits?When Willie questions Uncle Tadpole about the dream,Uncle Tadpole remarks, ‘Those are the old people lookingafter us.’ Either individually or in pairs, compose,revise and refine either a short poem or a song about therelationship between the ancestors, the Dreaming andcontemporary Indigenous people seeking a pathwaythrough life.In small groups, plan and draft a script for a short playabout racial reconciliation in Australia. Consider thecharacters, setting, themes and events, as well as thegeneral approach to the presentation. For example,should you include humour or even comedy in your portrayalof the subject matter? Rehearse a reading of thescript and revise as necessary. You may wish to organisea performance for a class in your school.An alternative may be to prepare the script for soundonly (narration, dialogue, sound effects and music),then to record and edit it for playback on your school’sintranet.Home, a sense of place and belongingWhen Willie first meets Uncle Tadpole in Perth, UncleTadpole and his mates are singing ‘Long Way AwayFrom My Country’. Listen carefully to the words, thendescribe the purpose of this song. What is it suggestingabout the men grouped around the campfire? In whatway does this song reflect Willie’s own thoughts andfeelings, and encapsulate a major plot-driven aspect ofthe film?ReconciliationIn 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered an official‘Sorry’ to Indigenous Australia as a gesture of reconciliation.At that time, the film version of Bran Nue Dae wasin development, being released theatrically in early 2010.Examine the final scenes of the film, which take place onthe beach near Broome and outside the Roebuck BayHotel. Discuss in class then write a commentary on howthese scenes capture and depict the mood, spirit andSCREEN EDUCATION7
Page 1 and 2: A STUDYGUIDE BY ROGER STITS ONhttp:
Page 3 and 4: BackgroundBefore examining the film
Page 5: think he means by ‘wasting’ a l
Page 10 and 11: References and further resourcesBoo
Page 12: This study guide was produced by AT

Bran Nue Dae

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