'Whaledreamers' World Premiere

ZHANG:
It's officially whale-watching season off the East Coast of Australia. So it's good timing this week for Sydney to host the world premiere of a film about an aboriginal tribe with a special relationship with whales. NTD correspondent Sheridan Harvey has the story.

STORY:
"Whaledreamers" is a documentary about the return of an ancient aboriginal whale tribe from South Australia. Declared extinct by the Australian government back in the 1950's the film follows the Mirning people as they share their ability to communicate with whales, in their dreams and through song.

[Bunna Lawrie, Mirning Tribe Songman]:
"Through this film its an opportunity them to understand more the way of life and stories about a whale, how that we can treat the whale and how we can look after them, how we can look after plant earth before it's too late."

Over 15 years in the making, it's release has been a long time coming. However, the heartfelt concern about whale killing still happening in world and a yearning for traditional cultures to stay alive meant there was serious commitment from many to the film.

[David Kirikian, L.A. Entertainment]:
"That's why I put my money where my mouth is. I wanted them to learn something out of it not just ignore life, life is not something you can ignore."

Julian Lennon was the producer and makes an appearance in the film. He's also re-recorded a new version of his 90's hit "Saltwater" with its proceeds going to the "defenders of the ocean," Greenpeace.

[Kim Kendesley, Film's Director]:
"The real motivation to begin with was to share the story of this tribe who were declared extinct, and indigenous wisdom and this incredible magic that is the connection between humanity and the whales and dolphins which is so incredibly ancient..."

The film has appearances from some big names like Pierce Brosnan and Australian actors, Geoffrey Rush and Jack Thompson.

[Jack Thompson, Australian Actor]:
"People come to me a talk afterwards about how it reminds them of something. We all have a spiritual life, regardless of whether we have religion or not, we all have a spiritual life and this film addresses that but it addresses that spiritual life associated with our everyday life."

The award-winning film is now being released across Australia with the rest of the world to follow shortly.

This is Sheridan Harvey, NTD Sydney.

Category:

Film & Animation

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[sharpieK103]

I., my mom, and my dad were in this in 1998!

[Maralyssa]

Ahhhhh! I want to see this and I am not being very patient about it! Come to America!

[vasumi]

This movie IS excellent, a strong impact for the Time we are are in...

I encourage all who can to watch it! Films of this calibre make me happy there is a film industry!

[TillyFlop]

I'm really looking forward to watching the movie!!

[bethsheeba3]

I have no doubt we are connected to whales.

[TIWICI]

Excellent!! I've been WAITING for it to come to the USA and hit theaters where I live in TX-- I've got a girl scout troop, and a cub scout den that's been chompin' at the bit to see this!!