Star Dreaming premieres tomorrow at CinefestOz
The 180-degree dome feature film is making its world premiere on Wednesday 25 August, followed by a premiere season at the WA Maritime Museum starting Saturday 4 September.
Prospero Productions, in partnership with Yamaji Art, is set to premiere Star Dreaming, its third immersive documentary feature, following Whale Super Highway and Ningaloo – Australia’s Other Great Reef, at CinefestOZ tomorrow.
Scientists and Indigenous artists are set to reveal the mysteries of the universe inside the Prospero Dome – the only theatre at the festival with the capability to screen 180-degree features. Written and produced by Prospero’s Julia Redwood, Star Dreaming is the feature directorial debut of West Australian Indigenous Filmmaker Perun Bonser and is narrated by Yamaji man, Ernie Dingo.
“The Prospero Dome is becoming an iconic attraction at CinefestOZ. I can’t wait to see what Julia, Perun and the Prospero and Yamaji Art teams have created as part of this unique art-meets-science-collaboration. Screenwest is incredibly proud to be supporting Star Dreaming.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO of Screenwest.
The movie is a breathtaking journey through science and Aboriginal culture; fusing live action with cutting-edge CGI technology and astrophysics, featuring animated Indigenous artworks and graphic recreations of the constellations. Indigenous Australians have gained meaning from the stars for over 60,000 years, making them some of the oldest astronomers on earth.
“It’s been an honour to collaborate with Prospero and Yamaji Art, and I’m excited for the premiere of my debut feature in the dome at CinefestOZ, and beyond. Star Dreaming is a must-tell story, and I look forward to seeing how audiences resonate with the movie.” said Director, Perun Bonser.
Star Dreaming is an art-meets-science-collaboration for all ages, and features Yamaji artists including Margaret Whitehurst, Wendy Jackamarra and Charmaine Green, as well as Barbara Merritt and Kevin Merritt. The documentary highlights their artwork of famous star patterns such as the Seven Sisters, the Jewellery Box and one of the most important star stories to the Yamaji people – the Emu in the Sky.
“Many of our stories get handed down from generation to generation and are important to us as they tell us about our lore, culture, social structures and important hunting seasons. Stories and information that we will still use today,” said Yamaji Elder, Kevin Merritt.
Internationally renowned astrophysicist, Professor Steven Tingay has worked alongside Yamaji Art for the last decade, exploring Indigenous and non-Indigenous views of the Universe and the human stories that connect us all to the night sky.
“Star Dreaming extends my collaboration with Yamaji Art, taking our unique relationship to a new format and to new audiences, which is extremely exciting. We can’t wait to bring our stories to the world, with the world’s most advanced telescope, the SKA, as the background,” said Professor Steven Tingay.
Star Dreaming was made in collaboration with Yamaji Art in Geraldton and in consultation with Professor Steven Tingay, in his role as Deputy Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at Curtin University. Director of Photography is Michael McDermott ACS and Executive Producers are Julia Redwood, Jules Fortune, Ed Punchard and Ian Booth.
“Star Dreaming is a bold concept and a very unique viewing experience, telling a story that hasn’t been told this way before. This movie will be screening across Australia and around the world – at planetariums and museums. Star Dreaming will put the WA outback, our Indigenous culture and their amazing art, and this Western Australian science success story – in front of eyes on a global scale,” said Writer/Producer, Julia Redwood.
Tickets are available for daily sessions at CinefestOZ in Busselton from this Thursday till Sunday, screening every hour on the hour from 10am till 4pm here
Tickets are also available for daily sessions at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle from Saturday 4 September here
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Screenwest is Western Australia’s not-for-profit screen funding organisation, supporting the development and production of film, television, and interactive projects in WA. We support the screen industry to showcase Western Australia and its diverse communities, talent, culture and Country.