Crown and Country

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Crown and Country

29 Aug 2025
08:00pm - 09:30pm
$10 - $15
The Capitol RMIT, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne

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Step into a world of vast desert landscapes and extraordinary ceremonial knowledge in this groundbreaking First Nations film.

At its heart is the voice of Wanta Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu, a renowned Warlpiri philosopher, teacher and visionary from the desert community of Lajamanu in the north Tanami. An international ambassador for Warlpiri culture, Wanta has produced key works in Indigenous education and community-based art. Wanta's father, First Contact elder Jerry Jangala Patrick OAM, one of the most significant Warlpiri songmen alive today, anchors the film in Jukurrpa (Dreaming) songs from traditional ceremonies.

The film is a collaboration with music producer Marc 'Monkey' Peckham, whose real-life conversations with Wanta, based on their 15-year friendship, form the soundtrack to the work. Take a journey 3000 kms north and step into Monkey's place, to experience an intimate perspective on cultural exchange and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Crown and Country unfolds at a pivotal time for desert communities, where the last elders who experienced first contact with colonial Australia reflect on their past while younger generations seek meaning in a shared, contested land. Shot on Warlpiri country by filmmaker James Gillot with support from Jeff Bruer, Crown and Country reflects on this history and invites the listener to consider new forms of belonging in Australia.

Presented by RMIT University in partnership with City of Melbourne's 'Now or Never' festival.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples