As Australia’s first feature film with Aboriginal lead roles, Jedda is beloved by many First Peoples. It was one of the first times we saw stories of our people explored and it’s lauded for its representation of “so many Aboriginal men and women, girls and boys on the screen.” But despite being a first for First Peoples representation, Jedda also reflects a deeply problematic time in Australian history characterised by formal policies of assimilation and the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families by the government.
The tale of an Aboriginal woman torn between her white upbringing and her heritage, Jedda (Charles Chauvel’s last feature film) is the first Australian-made colour feature and first Australian film nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or. It stars Arrernte actress Rosalie Kunoth-Monks (credited as Ngarla Kunoth) as Jedda and Tiwi actor Robert Tudawali as Marbuck. Due to the film’s popularity, and a rising interest in Aboriginal ‘kitsch’ and culture, Kunoth-Monks and Jedda became entwined. But unlike Tudawali, who had other roles, Kunoth-Monks never acted again and became an advocate for Australia’s First Peoples. Cast also includes Betty Suttor, Paul Reynall, George Simpson-Lytle, Tas Fitzer, Wason Byers, Willie Farrar, and Margaret Dingle
How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Previously on display
22 April 2019
ACMI Viewing Booths
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
325218
Language
English
Audience classification
Mediatheque - all ages (ACMI classified)
Subject categories
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Attitudes
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Australia, Central
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Children
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Ethnic identity
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians in motion pictures
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Motion pictures - Australia - History
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Motion pictures, Australian
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)