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Satellite Boy

Where life is fragile and people struggle to survive, one small Aboriginal boy shows us how courage can conquer even the greatest odds.

Length

1 x 95 mins

Release Year

2012

Production companies

Satellite Films

Synopsis

Abandoned by his mother, 10-year-old Pete (Cameron Wallaby), lives with his elderly grandfather, Jagamarra (David Gulpilil), in a deserted outdoor cinema of outback town Wyndham.

When his Grandfather’s home is threatened with demolition, Pete sees his world in jeopardy and with his best friend, Kalmain (Joseph Pedley), sets off for the city.

Together the boys travel through epic Kimberley country and when they get lost in the bush, Pete and Kalmain find true friendship.

Starving and thirsty, Pete must remember some of the traditional bush skills his grandfather has taught him to survive

DAVID GULPILIL as JAGAMARRA and CAMERON WALLABY as PETE in SATELLITE BOY. A Satellite Films production. Photo by Matt Nettheim _SAB0550

Watch the trailer

Production Information

Writer & Director

Catriona McKenzie

Producers

David Jowsey

Julie Ryan

Catriona McKenzie

Associate Producer

Jub Clerc

Executive Producers

Colin McCumstie

Troy Lum

Key Cast

David Gulpilil

Cameron Wallaby

Joseph Pedley

Rohanna Angus

Dean Daley Jones

Director of Photography

Geoffrey Simpson

Key Locations

Wyndham

The Kimberley

Key WA Crew

Sound Designer

Liam Egan

Editor

Henry Dangar

Production Designer

Sam Hobbs

Costume Designer

Maria Pattison

Composer

David Bridie

Casting Directors

Jub Clerc

Faith Martin

Sound Supervisor

Phil Judd

Filming in the Kimberley

“One of the reasons I wanted to film in the Kimberley is that the country is strong.”

“It hums with stories. Satellite Boy is based on the understanding that one’s connection to country is an everyday, intimate relationship that refreshes you. It keeps you strong. This is what the Kimberley ‘country’ offers us, and the film.”

– Catriona McKenzie, Director

See the Kimberley in our Locations Gallery

Director CATRIONA McKENZIE behind the scenes of SATELLITE BOY. A Satellite Films production. Photo by Matt Nettheim _SAC3674 — Director Catriona McKenzie behind the scenes of Satellite Boy.

Director of Photography GEOFFREY SIMPSON behind the scenes of SATELLITE BOY. A Satellite Films production. Photo by Matt Nettheim _SAC4249 — Director of Photography Geoffrey Simpson behind the scenes of Satellite Boy

About the DOP

Shot on the ARRI Alexa by award-winning director of photography Geoffrey Simpson ASC

Director Catriona McKenzie wanted his classic formal eye over what would be a shoot with mostly first time actors. Internationally renowned for his work on films such as Sleeping Beauty, Under the Tuscan Sun and Romulus My Father, Simpson captured not only the unspoilt beauty of the land but the emotion and life within it – which is so important to Aboriginal culture and so important to the story of Satellite Boy.

Find talented Cinematographers in our Crew Directory