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Mercury CX (formerly as Media Resource Centre has worked with NITV since 2013 to support Indigenous documentary-makers through production support and professional development.
Most recently, Mercury CX partnered with NITV to deliver three short documentaries with emerging Indigenous talent for broadcast on NITV. Mercury CX supported productions have done exceedingly well over the past few years with Clem Newchurch and Albert Jamae’s short documentary The Butterfish Mob screening at the Adelaide Film Festival, Sean Lahiff’s and Michael Clarkin’s short Smashed invited to screen at Berlin in 2017 and Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen’s Small Town P.D. screening at festivals worldwide and winning ‘Best Director’ at the Mississippi Southern Comedy Showcase in the US.
Prior to that films supported through this program included:
Our Mob Dance, written and directed by Shirleen McLaughlin, the story of her family’s move from Alice Springs to Adelaide and how the support of a local dance group, Kururru, helped them settle into city life.
Barbara’s World, written and directed by Edoardo Crismani, is a charming film told almost entirely through interview with the lovely and witty Barbara. It recounts the history of the Stolen Generation and Barbara’s father, a featherweight boxing champion and caring dad, who lived and suffered in that time.
Stinga-T by Chris Callaghan, telling the story of a young Aboriginal man pursuing dreams of hip-hop stardom in. This film follows Stinga-T (Thibul Nettle), actor and hip-hop artist, who has become a role model for many, not just in his community but further afield.
Through the Eyes of Grace, by Dylan Coleman, is an emotional and personal film dedicated to Coleman’s mother and wider family. It tells us about the happy times and miserable times of a childhood spent in a Lutheran Mission.
Uncle Matey, written and directed by Garth Agius, this is the story of Australia’s oldest Aboriginal man. Uncle Matey, who walked from New South Wales to South Australia, lived for over a hundred years and hung out with Ned Kelly during his life.
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Michael Clarkin’s Short SMASHED invited to Berlin
Fuelled by jealousy, a group of larrikins kidnap footy hero Christian (Leo Santangelo) to gain the attention of Christian’s girlfriend Jess (Sarah Jeavons). Their prank soon swerves out of control, trapping the youths in a recurring nightmare in the South Australian bush.
Smashed was born from Sean Lahiff’s (Director) ‘testosterone filled youth’ of larrikins, cars, petrol heads and parties while growing up in South Australia. There are times that the film, at just under thirteen minutes, feels like it’s a teaser trailer for a feature-length film with a story that practically begs to be drawn out and characters who manage to create intrigue even without the usual comfort of spoken dialogue.
Smashed had its international premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and has two screenings at the Sydney Film Festival this month, its Australian premiere.
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