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Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs: falling from the sky
Title:
Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs: falling from the sky
Year
2004
Warnings
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Warren H Williams introduces us to his aunt Mavis Malbunka who tells us the Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) story. Mavis Malbunka is a senior custodian and tells us that Tnorala was created when a baby in a coolamon (or turna) fell from the sky, while the whitefella version of the story is that the circular rock walls of Tnorala were created by a comet. Mavis talks about the responsibility to place, and the duty of looking after country, and the importance of passing on the stories.
Summary by Romaine Moreton
The colour of the desert landscape comes alive with the framing of the scenery and where the main characters – Warren H Williams, John Williamson and Warren’s children – appear in shot, creates a colourful, vibrant landscape that is true to the essence of Warren’s songs.
Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs Synopsis
A documentary about Arrernte musician Warren H Williams, who shares the source of his musical inspiration and the role of family and culture in his personal and professional life.
Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs is part of the Nganampa Anwernekenhe series produced by Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Productions. Nganampa Anwernekenhe means 'ours’ in the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte lanuages, and the series aims to contribute to the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.
Curator's Notes
Warren H Williams is an Arrernte musician, and in Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs he shares with us the source of his inspiration and his professional accomplishments. Williams was born in Hermannsburg and, inspired by his musical family, became a singer-songwriter himself.
The power of this documentary is in how the filmmakers communicate the relationship Williams has with his country, as well as the significance of his work being rooted in the cultural beliefs of his people. The landscape in this film is depicted as colourful and vibrant, and Warren H Williams communicates this dynamism through his music. Music, story, country and Williams himself are woven into a tapestry of image and song.
Notes by Romaine Moreton
Production company
CAAMA Productions
Executive producer
Priscilla Collins (AKA Cilla Collins)
Director
Chris Tangey
Cast
Teddy Egan Jangala, Herman Malbunka, Mavis Malbunka, Chris Matthews, Phil Matthews, Ntjalka (Gus) Williams, Warren Williams, John Williamson
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.