Increasingly Aboriginal people in Australia are being recognised as the first astronomers. When the ancient wisdoms of the universe held by the oldest culture on earth meet modern astrophysics a new concept is born - cultural astronomy. In a meeting of minds between Ghillar Michael Anderson and Prof Ray Norris, CSIRO astrophysicist project leader of the Evolutionary Mapping of the Universe (EMU) extraordinary parallels emerge in the two cultures - such as 'wormholes' and the pathway to Bullima, the Euahlayi Sky Camp, via the hollow Coolabah tree. A pioneering feature documentary, Star Stories of the Dreaming relays the oldest knowledge on the planet as told by Anderson, Euahlayi Lawman and Knowledge-holder.
Producer/director Eleanor Gilbert talks about her film in an interview with “We Are Moving Stories”, a website that broadcasts and embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, journalism, music video and web-series. They also connect films to audiences, producers, distributors, sales agents, buyers, film festival directors and media.
Congratulations! Why did you make this film?
Firstly, in the early 1970s when I was a marine ecologist and underwater diver in the waters off Sydney Harbour, I would often spend weekends in the Blue Mountains with friends and we’d camp on the rocks facing the magnificent western sunset. One night I was instructed by an inner/outer Voice to ‘Make The Storybook of the Stars’. I held this vision for 40 years often wondering how this task would take shape. As I came to know Ghillar, Michael Anderson, and understand the depth of knowledge of the universe that he held for his People, the Euahlayi, I realized he was probably the person who could tell The Storybook of the Stars, but I still said nothing.
Later Ghillar decided it was time to release some of the ancient knowledge he has been entrusted with and co-authored scientific papers in cultural astronomy journals. As a feedback to the community he suggested making a video and I was asked if I was interested. Of course, I said yes straight away. Later Ghillar stated:
“I have been encouraged by our People to share with the broader Euahlayi community and the far western Gomeroi, the Stories of the universe that can be told publicly. I am now sharing with the broader global audience in the recently premiered film Star Stories of The Dreaming. In these Star Stories I have revealed ancient Stories of the galaxies, constellations, blackholes and the creation of the natural world that we all now belong to.”
Why is the film called Star Stories of The Dreaming?
The film is called Star Stories of The Dreaming because it relays Stories of the universe, constellations and planets that have been passed down from the Dreaming to the present.
“When I listen to my grandmother, that's my Dad's mum, she was taught by her grandmother who was an old woman when the white man first come into our Country and she taught my grandmother. In our way of teaching we skip a generation. That's how we compress knowledge and that's how we keep that knowledge pretty much intact ...”
Can you tell us how you met and know Ghillar, Michael Anderson?
It’s a long story but in shorthand it goes a bit like this. There was a genocide case beginning against the Howard government’s 10 point plan and ‘bucket loads of extinguishment’ of Aboriginal right through the Native Title Amendment Act 1998.
A non-Aboriginal lawyer was running the case, but declared he did not know if it would succeed. I was horrified and sent the papers to the three Aboriginal lawyers I knew. One wanted lots of money; another needed lots of time; and Ghillar, Michael Anderson, jumped in without hesitation and we ended up preparing the legal argument ourselves for Nulyarimma v Thompson. The end result was a judgment in the High Court that Australia had no law against genocide. Over the years we have worked together forming SUANPA Sovereign Union of Aboriginal Nations and Peoples in Australia; highlighting the Forgotten Frontier Wars on Anzac day; and preparing submissions for UN Treaty bodies such the CERD, HRC, ICESCR.
I frequently film grassroots meetings in which Ghillar seeks to educate Aboriginal people on their inherent rights, as well as creating short webcasts.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We see Ghillar in family settings as well as in a meeting of minds with Prof Ray Norris, Australia's leading astrophysicist responsible for EMU – Evolutionary Mapping of the Universe. Extraordinary parallels emerge in the two cultures - such as 'wormholes' and the pathway to Bullima, the Euahlayi Sky Camp, via the hollow Coolabah tree, which lives on the riverbank.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It has developed from a 52 minute version for schools in northwest New South Wales to a full blown 90 minute feature documentary and a condensed version for TV broadcast.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Star Stories of The Dreaming showcases the oldest knowledge on the planet. Increasingly Aboriginal people in Australia are being recognised as the first astronomers and we are transported into this ethereal world.
As Ghillar says: ‘This is Australia.” [as opposed to the colonial version]. We are privileged to enter into his Peoples’ inner and outer worlds: worlds of Creation stories; Songlines along waterholes; the Seven Sisters and how the Platypus was created; where spirit children form; how the Sun and Moon relate; planets Mars and Venus the eyes of the Creator, Bhiamie, seeing through the eyes of the Eagle, Mullyan; punishment for peadophiles; what happens to the human spirit after death.
In the meeting of minds between Prof Ray Norris, Australia's leading astrophysicist responsible for EMU – Evolutionary Mapping of the Universe and Ghillar extraordinary parallels emerge in the two cultures - such as 'wormholes' and the pathway to Bullima, the Euahlayi Sky Camp, via the hollow Coolabah tree, which lives on the riverbank.
Ghillar takes us further into his People's understanding of the amount of water that is in space and is yet to come to earth and the moiety system of dark and light which ensures a healthy gene pool and prevents inbreeding and incest.
What type of feedback have you received so far about the film?
Awesome.
This is an extraordinary film not to be missed. Takes you into another world.
Thank you.
Congratulations!
BRAVO! Felicitations!!!
Congratulations on a marvelous film – fabulous photography and such important content – groundbreaking!
Fabulous documentary!
Fantastic!
When can I see it again?
Now I will look at the night sky very differently.
Dense.
Will there be a screening in Perth?
Will there be a screening in Geelong?
Will there be a screening in Brisbane?
Anangu Tjuta wish you and Ghillar all the best. Yous are amazing, we hear the Tjukurpa film is outstanding wiru, well done, we need a screening in SA.
Q&As on www.enlightning.com.au.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really, just grateful that it is so appreciated and now Ghillar wants to make more films and I have been asked to film with other First Peoples as well.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?
Wider distribution.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message and audience?
Buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
What type of impact would you like this film to have?
For the world to understand that Aboriginal people in Australia carry the oldest knowledge on the planet and have an amazingly complex understanding of the universe and humanity’s relationship with it.
An appreciation of the profound teachings intertwined in cultural astronomy.
Breakdown the negative stereotypes projected onto Aboriginal people in Australia.
Lastly, what’s a key question that will help spark a debate about this issue and film?
Are Aboriginal people in Australia the world’s first astronomers?
Interview: September 2016
