Shelie Morris & Emma Donovan on the red carpet, Forum theatre, Melbourne. Pic: Megan Spencer
NT singer Shellie Morris was front and centre on the red carpet for the Melbourne premiere of documentary ‘murundak – songs of freedom’.
The film documents the rise of Australian Indigenous singing collective, The Black Arm Band.
Along with other members of the cast and crew, Shellie posed for media photos in the foyer of the beautiful and historic Forum Theatre.
The premiere was packed to the rafters with hundreds of people including cast, crew, members of the film, arts, music, media and Aboriginal communities, plus family, friends and many more from all over the country.
All of the performances in the film were wildly applauded, including Shellie’s rendition of ‘Swept Away’ recorded at Darwin Festival, with fellow Territorians Leah Flanagan and Ursula Yovich on stage.
Dan Sultan‘s energetic performance at Alice Desert Festival is also captured in ‘murundak’, with Maningrida-born Ursula Yovich singing out the film in a beautiful scene recorded during a Darwin sunset.
On the red carpet.. Shellie Morris second from right, with TBAB members Emma Donovan, Rachael Maza Long, Lou Bennet and 'murundak' crew. Pic: Megan Spencer
The crowd was audibly moved and delighted during the screening, which was opened by a ‘Welcome To Country’ by Wurrundjuri elder Joy Murphy Wandin, directors Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham, producers Pip Campey and Sarah Bond, and Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Brett Sheehy.
Members of The Black Arm Band also gave a special live performance downstairs at the party, after the screening.
‘murundak’ will tour nationally from April – the NT included – and will screen nationally on SBS-TV in May.
‘murundak’ will screen in Darwin at Deckchair Cinema on May 16 and 21. http://www.deckchaircinema.com
Join the ‘murundak’ community on Facebook and visit the official site.
See more photos of Shellie Morris at the premiere on the Music NT Forum.
Words & pics: Megan Spencer
