BRAN NUE DAE (Australia 2009) ***
Directed by Rachel Perkins

Set in the summer of 1969 in the port of Broome, Australia, BRAN NUE DAE tells the story of a shy Aboriginal teen Willie (Rocky KcKenzie) as he escapes priest school to return home to his girl Rosie (Jessica Mauboy). 

During the road trip journey, he meets a roguish Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo).  Hot on his heels is a German Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush) hunting him down.  This forces young Willie to search for love and identity in the midst of mayhem, dishonour and prejudice. 

BRAN NUE DAE (or BRAND NEW DAY) started off as a stage musical some 20 years back.  Director Perkins said that she hoped to give the audience the same feeling of lifting the spirits and feeling good as the original musical did.  This, she sure did!  By combining dances, often having all the players breaking off into choreography at the oddest of times, songs, humour and a bit of satire, Perkins’ film is lively, entertaining and an unexpected joy to see at the festival. 

The rendering of the musical number: “I am lucky to be an Aborigine” is priceless!  The film was a major box-office hit (and understandably so) in native Australia.