Published 30 January 2019
 

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) invites Canberra audiences to experience Carriberrie, an immersive virtual reality film that celebrates Indigenous song and dance, from 22 February.

Introduced by iconic actor David Gulpilil, Carriberrie features 156 dancers and 36 performances, representing nine cultural groups, and encompassing both traditional ceremonial song and dance through to contemporary and modern expressions. From a work by Bangarra at the Sydney Opera House to Uluru and the Arnhem wetlands, Carriberrie showcases a stunning range of locations and performances, allowing viewers to be immersed in these environments and in close proximity to the artists.

NFSA CEO Jan Müller said: 'We are very excited to bring the Carriberrie experience to Canberra audiences.  As the custodians of a significant collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works, we believe in the power of stories to transcend cultural boundaries and build a deeper understanding and respect. Carriberrie achieves all of that, using cutting-edge immersive technologies, which the NFSA is now collecting and preserving, alongside traditional audiovisual formats. We hope audiences will feel inspired by Carriberrie.’

Carriberrie was initially conceived by producer and director Dominic Allen. It was then developed in extensive consultation with Aboriginal cultural advisors, and produced by a team featuring multiple Indigenous key crew members.

Mr Allen said: ‘We’re thrilled that Carriberrie will be having its ACT premiere at the prestigious National Film and Sound Archive. We’re particularly excited that this team has planned an exhibition which will extend Carriberrie’s audience engagement potential by showing the film in interactive VR on state of the art headsets, interactive large room projections and, for the first time, exhibiting never-before-seen content in the form of full dances available on immersive iPads. Carriberrie has never been screened in such a thorough and progressive way, and we’re looking forward to witnessing audiences immersing themselves in the scope of Carriberrie’s First Nations song and dance.’

Carriberrie comes to Canberra with rave reviews following screenings in Sydney (Australian Museum), Melbourne (MIFF), Cannes (Marche du Film), Guanajuato (Mexico) and Toulouse (France). 

Images and video available for media use: http://bit.ly/NFSACarriberrieMedia

For interviews and other media opportunities, please contact Gabrielle Wilson, 0433 972 915 or gabrielle@thepresssociety.com.au.

When: 22 February – 1 June; Monday-Sunday, 11am to 2pm (duration 14 minutes)
Tickets: Free; no bookings required
Synopsis: Put on your virtual reality headset and let David Gulpilil and Jack Charles guide you on a journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander song and dance.
You’ll encounter the contemporary dancers of Bangarra performing at the Sydney Opera House, The Lonely Boys rocking out in Alice Springs, and performers of songs and dances used to share knowledge and culture for thousands of years.
From Uluru to Cairns and the Torres Strait, this is an intimate and immersive experience unlike any other.