Bran Nue Dae is taken from a stage play developed by writer/rock musician Jimmy Chi who himself was raised in the remote Northwest coastal town of Broome, Australia, in the1960's. The musical comedy, which made its debut in 1990, was an instant success because of it's catchy music, political message, touch of bawdiness, and its being a universal coming-of-age story.
Young Willie (Rocky Mckenzie in his first acting role), religiously brought up by his single mother (Ningali Lawford-Wolf), is about to leave his idyllic home of Broome, where he would fish, hang out with friends, and dream of being Rosie's (Jessica Mauboy) boyfriend. He is being sent to the mission Catholic school in Perth to eventually become a priest. Though a devout young man, the idea of leaving home and ending all hopes of a happy, uncelibite, life with Rosie are unacceptable. After a run in with Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush), he runs away, hoping to get back home. Along the way, he meets up with an old hobo, Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo), who says he will take him back to Broome, his hometown as well. And the road trip begins. They soon fall in with a couple of hippies (Missy Higgins, Tom Budge) traveling in a Volkswagen van and convince the young couple Broome is the place to go. Meanwhile, Father Benedictus is in hot pursuit. Along the way, we get to see a few thousand miles of beautiful, desolate Australia, hear a bunch of bouncy tunes, and learn a bunch of life lessons along with Willie.
Some outrageous songs include one about a boy meeting a girl and asking her for sex, "Seeds That You Might Sow.' She says, 'Well, I like baloney or perhaps a sausage roll, but if you don't use those condoms, then you cannot poke my hole.' Did I hear that right? Or the song in response to racist remarks directed at the students in the mission school by Father Benedictus goes: "There's nothing I'd rather be than to be an Aborigine and watch you take my precious land away.' And from the same song: 'I'd be satisfied to rebuild your convict ships and sail you on the tide,' referring to the settlement of Australia by English convicts brought by ship to relieve the overcrowded prisons back home. That's telling him!
Standout performances by Ernie Dingo as Uncle Tadpole. His pathos, wisdom and great voice was an anchor the whole film seemed to hinge on. And Deborah Mailman as Roxanne, a town slut hungry for action and booze, with a squeaky, little voice and disarming manner lit the screen with each appearance. Unfortunately, there were no professional dancers. When it came to the tap dance sequences, the camera shot only above the waist and a tap audio track was added. There was a lot of red dust kicked up, dirt not being the best tap environment. That was probably the funniest part of the film.
Director Rachel Perkins, herself indigenous, has made a name for herself in the film and televisions industries with previous features, including musicals, and the longest and most expensive television documentary ever made, all about indigenous peoples. It's great to finally see the world or even just Australia from the perspective of the Aborigines. Too bad more of their work isn't getting to the U.S.
Bran Nue Dae
Director: Rachel Perkins
Writers: Rachel Perkins, Reg Cribb, Jimmy Chi based on the stage musical by Jimmy Chi & Kuckles
Cast: Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Geoffrey Rush, Ernie Dingo, Missy Higgins, Ningali Lawford-Wolf, Deborah Mailman, Tom Budge, Magda Szubanski
Time:88 min.
Rated: PG-13
Opens September 10 at the Sundance Kabuki in San Francisco
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