Trailer for Two Brothers at Galarra

Two Brothers at Galarra is the Mulka Project's most ambitious project to date. It was inspired by 1952 recordings of three songs sung by the legendary 'Slippery' Binydjarrpuma and his nephew Mathulu Munyarryun, who still lives and narrates the film. They sang the story of a conflict between Binydjarrpuma and his brother Nyepaynga, sometime around 1945.

In this film, Bandamul and Malalakypuy Munyarryun re-enact the events, supplemented by newly recorded song and dance with a large group of young men from Dhalinybuy. Malalakpuy and Banul Munyarryun and supervising director Tom Murray directed the project, and cinematographer Bonnie Elliot shot most of it, along with Tom and Yirrkala students Biyalnga, Bunbuyngu and Dhamarrarr. Mulka Project coordinator Randin Graves produced, edited, and provided incidental music and sound design.

This preview gives you a quick idea of the film - except that all traditional song poetry throughout is subtitled. The full 21 minute version will be available on our DVD 'Nhäma! Short Films from Yirrkala Northeast Arnhem Land' in August 2008.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• indigenous
• yolngu
• drama
• spear
• action
• yidaki
• yirdaki
• yirrkala
• trailer
• dhalinybuy
• hunt
• manikay
• bunggul
• aboriginal
• dance

[nyarnwandid]

is that terry and mark ???

[TheMulkaProject]

Yep, Terry=Bandamul and Mark=Malalakpuy. Who's asking? We'll let them know they've been spotted on the internet by a friend!

[ididjaustralia]

Nice!

Is this the same Binydjarrpuma who was one of Donald Thomson's informants and also a part of the NT Special Reconnaissance Unit in WW2?

[TheMulkaProject]

The same! Although he was more someone Thomson chased down and scolded the first time, before appointing him head of the 2nd NTSRU division in 1942. Nyepaynga -Yumutjin & Burrngupurrngu's dad- is also mentioned by Thomson as part of B's close crew both before and during the war. Lots of old writers mention them - I've got Chaseling and Thornell handy here, each with their own anecdotes about the troublemakers.

The film actually ends with a shot Thomson took of the two sitting together!

[flyangler18]

This is definitely one to be proud of!  The editing, the camera work, the score- all fantastic!

[TheMulkaProject]

Ooh, on the score - with the whole 'nothing new under the sun concept', it's probably not true, but I'd like to think that the music you hear in the last part of the trailer is the first time Yolngu manikay has been arranged for chamber strings and 1980's electronic percussion.

[nyarnwandid]

nyarn im adopted into da munyarryun family

[flyangler18]

I would venture a guess that this is a first!

[mahoran]

great work, love close-ups in cinema.

looking forward to the DVD,

[TheMulkaProject]

Yep, I think so! Although I really should have put the subtitles on the song on the trailer... it'd be a better teaser but I worry it gives too much away. I get to take credit for one bit of cinematography in the trailer. The shot of Malalakpuy up close with Bandamul spearfishing behind him - that was my idea. ;-)