Language of Birds, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed documentary and drama director and writer Erica Glynn (She Who Must Be Loved Berlinale 2019), is now in post-production following a five week shoot in the raw beauty of Australia’s remote North East Arnhem Land.
Starring actor Rärriwuy Hick (True Colours, Gods of Wheat Street, Wentworth) in her debut feature lead performance, and introducing Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Language of Birds is the story of an Aboriginal mother and daughter battling to fall in love after a lifetime apart. Different languages, culture and two strong wills make this nearly impossible. Lucky they have each other.
With a screenplay by Erica Glynn based on Marie Munkara’s novel Of Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea, Language of Birds is produced by Glynn together with Charlotte Seymour for Feet First Films in association with Seymour Films, and Sue Maslin (The Dressmaker, Jimpa).
Co-producers are Rärriwuy Hick and Carly Maple (Talk To Me, Bring Her Back), with Associate Producer Libby Collins (Top End Bub, Manutji Catching Eyes).
Set and shot on location in Yirrkala, Gunyangara and Nhulunbuy, North East Arnhem Land, the filmmakers collaborated closely with the Indigenous custodians of the lands and waterways, the clan communities of the Yolŋu nation.
Rärriwuy Hick, a celebrated Yolŋu actor from the North East Arnhem Land community of Dhalinybuy, together with Lirrina Munuggurr, played significant roles in establishing the production’s connection with their families, the Traditional Owners of the Rirratjingu, Gumatj, Wangurri, and Ḏäṯiwuy clans to ensure the essential cultural and logistical consultation required to site both the production and the story on their Country.
The majority Yolŋu cast includes performers Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale, The Royal Hotel), Witiyana Marika (High Ground), Frances Djulibing (Ten Canoes), Jennifer Budukpuduk (Charlie’s Country), Banula Marika (Bedevil), Mangatjay Yunupingu (Yolngu Boy), alongside an ensemble of newcomers marking their feature film screen debuts.
“The search to find and connect with your blood family is a common feature of most Aboriginal Australians’ life,” says Glynn.
“If we aren’t looking for someone we know was stolen as a child, someone stolen is looking for us. Language of Birds portrays an intimate dance played out by May and her mother Nita as they attempt to fall back in love after 30 years apart. It has been a joy to craft this film with such dedicated collaborators, and in such an incredible community.”
Director of Photography is Dylan River (The Beach, Audrey Napanangka, Sweet Country), working alongside Production Designer Michael Leon (Wolfram), Costume Designer Heather Wallace (The New Boy, The Babadook), Head of Makeup Aoife Murray (Kangaroo), Sound Recordist Will Sheridan (My Brilliant Career, Sweet Country), Editor Chris Plummer (Kangaroo, Chasing Millions, Joika The American) and Sound Designer Liam Egan (The Correspondent, Wolfram).
Cultural advisers included custodians and leaders Janet Guypuŋura Munyarryun and Djakapurra Munyarryun both founding members of Bangarra Dance Company, Witiyana Marika, a founding member of Yothu Yindi and producer/star of High Ground, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Principal of the Yirrkala Bilingual School and author of 6 books, along with Siena Mayatu Wurmarri Stubbs and Guruguru Hick.
Language of Birds is a Feet First Films production. Major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in association with Screen Territory, Minderoo Pictures, and Soundfirm. Financed with support from Fine Cut Films, Rio Tinto Gove, the Australian Cultural Fund, VicScreen, Adelaide Film Festival, Snow Foundation, Jane Wolfe and the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation. Local distribution by RadioActive Pictures. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW.
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