Blackfellas
| Blackfellas | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James Ricketson |
| Produced by |
Paul D. Barron Penny Chapman David Rapsey |
| Screenplay by |
James Ricketson Archie Weller |
| Based on |
Novel: Archie Weller |
| Starring |
John Moore David Ngoombujarra Jack Charles John Hargreaves Ernie Dingo |
| Music by | David Milroy |
| Cinematography | Jeffrey Malouf |
| Edited by | Christopher Cordeaux |
| Distributed by | Ronin Films |
Release dates |
 1993 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Blackfellas is a 1993 Australian drama film directed by James Ricketson. It is an adaptation of Archie Weller's 1981 novel The Day of the Dog. Blackfellas stars John Moore, David Ngoombujarra, Jack Charles, John Hargreaves and Ernie Dingo. The film won two AFI Awards and had its premier at the Valhalla Cinema in Melbourne on 26 August 1993.[1]
Plot
In Perth, Western Australia, Doug Dooligan (John Moore), a young Nyoongar man, is released from prison where he was incarcerated for assault. Outside he is picked up by his charismatic childhood friend Floyd "Pretty Boy" Davies (David Ngoombujarra)—who was partially responsible for Doug's incarceration—and taken to a remote Aboriginal community. He becomes attracted to local girl Polly (Jaylene Riley) and, upon learning that Floyd is still involved in criminal activities, decides to leave and visit his mother. Determined to stay out of trouble, Doug buys back his father's old property, Yetticup, which has traditional roots. Polly joins him at Yetticup and not soon after Doug's father reappears having escaped from prison. Doug narrowly escapes the police when his father is apprehended, who later dies in prison. Distraught, Doug meets Floyd and the two become friends again. When Doug tries to stop Floyd from committing a crime, Floyd sacrifices his own life so that Doug can escape and avoid arrest.
Cast
- John Moore as Doug Dooligan
- David Ngoombujarra as Floyd "Pretty Boy" Davies
- Jaylene Riley as Polly
- Lisa Kinchela as Valerie
- John Hargreaves as Detective Maxwell
- Ernie Dingo as Percy
- Julie Hudspeth as Mrs. Dooligan
- Jack Charles as Carey
- Michael Watson as Hughie
- Kelton Pell as Willice
Production
James Ricketson became interested in the story in the early 1980s when he was directing an episode of Women of the Sun.[2]
Awards
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (1993 AFI Awards) |
Best Direction | James Ricketson | Nominated |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | ||
| Best Actor | John Moore | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor | David Ngoombujarra | Won | |
See also
References
- ↑ Kim, Ignatius (18 August 1993). "A universal story", Green Left Weekly. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ↑ "Interview with James Ricketson", Signet, 22 May 1995 accessed 20 November 2012