Urban Dreaming
Logline: This beautiful documentary offers a unique insight into perspectives on health, culture and well being by members of the Aboriginal community living in Melbourne.
Current Status: Post Production
Length: 27 minutes
Director: Rochelle Humphrey
Producer: Rochelle Humphrey
About me: Rochelle (Rocky) made documentaries in Timor Leste during the 2006 Crisis, she is a puppet maker, producer, and installation artist; screenplay writer; all with a common thread of social justice. She has a Fine Arts degree, major in Sculpture and new media, a Masters in International Relations with a specialisation in Human Rights and is the creative force behind Genetic Circus Productions.
Looking for: Distributors, Film Festivals and Broadcasters.
Funders: Monash Health
Made in association with: Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Cultural Heritage Council
Where can I watch it?
Please contact director, Rochelle
Email: director@geneticcircusproductions.com
Congratulations! Why did you make this film?
I wanted to make a positive documentary in a local (Melbourne) context about the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres strait islanders. I wanted to celebrate the outstanding work of Aboriginal health workers and Elders within their communities.
My role was to listen and work as a vehicle for ideas and opinions on ‘Closing the Gap’, to be heard. Everyone on screen featured in Urban Dreaming is Aboriginal, the film making process was built upon what participants felt was important to communicate.
Why is the film called Urban Dreaming?
The film explores health issues for Aboriginal people working in and around Dandenong, an urban area of Melbourne. ’Dreaming’ refers to the story of the creator Bunjil, which is shared by Uncle Bill Nicholson, a Wurundjeri elder and cultural educator.
A consist response from health workers during the making of the documentary was connection to country, culture and community is fundamental to health and well being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Who is the audience for this film?
This documentary has a potentially diverse audience, firstly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the broader community who are represented in the film. Other First Nations people from Canadian and New Zealand (Aotearoa) and the Pacific, that are dealing with the impacts of colonization; young and old people living in Australia that are unaware of local culture, history and health issues.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We are please to have a great response, and feedback has been one of amazement of cultural stories shared and greater thought into the subject of colonization and health impacts and first nations people.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We are lucky the feedback has been positive.
Some viewers didn’t realize that there is a strong and proud Aboriginal community in Melbourne, nor know about cultural practice, local language, or culturally important sites.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?
I wish for this documentary to be seen by as many people as possible and invite interest by broadcasters, distributors and film festival organizers local and International.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would love to see Urban Dreaming in Film Festivals and Broadcast nationally and internationally.
What type of impact would you like this film to have?
To inform and educate young and old about culture, health and well being of First Nations people and develop a greater respect and understanding.
To open wider conversation about the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders being the instigators and leaders in positive change for health and well being within their community.
Lastly, what’s a key question that will help spark a debate about this issue and film?
Why are First Nations people experiencing such devastating health outcomes in a wealthy country as Australia?