This is the extroardinary story of one Indigenous elder's
50 year life journey fighting for the political and spiritual freedom of his people.
Unflinching in his delivery, yet soft in his humanity - Rev Dr Gondarra OAM has a confronting and urgent message for Australians and the world as he illuminates the long standing paradigm that controls us all.
THE FILM
Filmed over 5 years in Northeast Arnhem Land and as a result of a 16 year friendship, Luku Ngarra - The Law of the Land is a confronting and intimate journey into the world of the Yolŋu First Nations of Australia.
At its centre is a remarkable man, the late Rev Dr Gondarra OAM, who was a tireless beacon for freedom and justice for Indigenous Australians for the last 50 years, as well as a highly respected clan leader, traditional lawman, spiritual leader and civil rights activist.
The film will deeply challenge audiences' understanding of the Yolŋu world, the crisis currently facing remote Indigenous communities today, and offer a better way forward that upholds the dignity, respect and sovereignty of the oldest living culture in the world.
It offers viewers a fascinating exploration of their customary law and how it has kept Yolŋu people in balance with the environment and with each other for tens of thousands of years. Following true to Dr Gondarra's well known straight talk, he and many other Yolŋu present how their law has been completely at odds with the dominant mainstream paradigm which has in effect created chaos to their lives and the environment.
By opening big questions that require a humanitarian response, audiences will be compelled to question their own world and the views and structures that come with it.
The film is a timely vehicle of wisdom from one of Australia's most respected Indigenous Elders, that addresses the challenges of our times with soul and compassion.
Its' director, Sinem Saban has been closely interwoven with the Yolŋu of Northeast Arnhem Land for more than 20 years, and directed the award-winning and groundbreaking documentary on Indigenous rights - Our Generation (2010).
'The wisdom and reverence of this incredible man and his people will deeply affect you for the rest of your life, as they have mine.'
- Director, Sinem Saban
Photo courtesy of Eve Jeffries
KEY CREATIVES
Sinem Saban met and then worked with Dr Gondarra over 17 years ago whilst making her first documentary, 'Our Generation.' (Winner Best Campaign Film at London International Documentary Festival 2010)
Sinem has had the privilege and honour of having Dr Gondarra as her mentor for the duration of their friendship. As the trust has grown, he has slowly shared his profound knowledge and wisdom with her in accordance with the Yolŋu Maḏayin System of Law.
'He has been an immeasurable gift to my life and to my family's life. I am in constant awe of his humility, his sense of humour and his compassion for all humans.'.
11 years after they met, the decision was made to embark on the journey to make this film together; to mark the legacy of Rev Dr Gondarra's incredible life fighting for political and spiritual freedom of his people.
DIRECTER // PRODUCER // WRITER // EDITOR
SINEM SABAN
CO-PRODUCER // WRITER
REV DR GONDARRA OAM
CO-WRITERS
BIRITJALAWUY GONDARRA
DAMIEN CURTIS
NARRATOR
RARRIWUY HICK
INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED
Keeping true to the values and priorities of Director Sinem Saban's entire career in making
film and media content, this is a genuine independent and Indigenous funded production.
To date Sinem has funded majority of the film herself with the generous help from Arnhem Land Progress Association and a crowd funding campaign which helped propel the film forward in the early days.
During post production the film received funding from Aboriginal Resource Development (ARDS),
AIP Collective, Bio-Distributors and philanthropy to help us get over the line.