Banduk
Banduk is a 1985 Australian television film shot in Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory of Australia.[1][2]
| Banduk | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Di Drew |
| Written by | James Badger |
| Produced by | Penelope Spence |
| Starring | Bayulma Marika Garry McDonald Banduk Marika |
| Cinematography | Steve Dobson |
| Edited by | Don Saunders |
| Music by | Geoff Harvey |
Production company | |
Release date | 1985 |
Running time | 90 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Plot
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
The cast is as follows:[2]
- Garry McDonald – Mr Kool
- Jone/Joan Winchester – Mrs Kool
- Bayulma Marika – Banduk[lower-alpha 1][3]
- Yalumul Marika – Yalumul
- Roy Marika – Grandad
- Gurumin Marika – Father
- Banduk Marika – Aunt
- Tommy Munyurran – Police aide
Production
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
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
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
- 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
- Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p11
- Guest, Sarah (22 September 2016) [1986]. "The parakeet connection". Cinema Papers: 52. Retrieved 25 July 2021 – via Issuu.
- 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.