By Christine de Kock
LOCAL film-makers Aneeta Krishna and Alarna Gray have produced a documentary on the history of the Maribyrnong River which will be launched on 11 October at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville.
Ms Gray said the documentary, ‘Saltwater Reflections’, was more lyrical than driven by facts and figures.
“It’s a chronological history starting with the indigenous presence in the area, then the arrival of the farmers from Tasmania and the industry that followed,” she said.
“There was an influx of migrant workers who worked at factories like Pipe Makers, which is now a park and part of the documentary.”
Ms Krishna added that a highlight of the film was the story told by indigenous leader Larry Walsh.
“In the last five minutes of the film Larry Walsh speaks to camera and tells an indigenous story about the area.
“He closes the film saying there is a connection between all of us that are born here, basically saying if you are born here then you have a spirituality or connection to the land and it is about owning that,” Ms Krishna said.
She said the contemporary images in the film are woven together with poetry, mosaic art and music to evoke a sense of place and movement through time.
Ms Krishna and Ms Gray have an artistic writer and director partnership and form Gaga Productions.
They produced the film with the support of the Living Museum of the West and Maribyrnong City Council. They received Maribyrnong City Council’s 2006 Cultural and Community Grants.
The 28-minute film will be screened at the Sun Theatre on Sunday 15 October, Sunday 22 October, Sunday 290 October and Sunday 5 November.
