(1994)

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10/10
A Visually beautiful and moving piece of Australian cinema
mbianchino4 July 2008
BLACK RIVER by Lucas Produkzion (Kevin Lucas and Aany Whitehead), a musical drama based on an opera of the same name, combines choreographed Aboriginal dance sequences with Australia's brightest operatic and acting talent. The story explores the human tragedy surrounding Miriam, as she grows up and witnesses the death of three generations of her Aboriginal family under the hand of white custodianship. Visual a beautiful film all the way down to the beautiful still photography of Mario Michael Bianchino.

A sumptuous and compelling film adaptation of one of Australia's boldest contemporary operatic works by Andrew & Julianne Schultz. Seen through the eyes of its central character, Miriam, an Aboriginal woman, whose son recently died in police custody and performed by the award winning mezzo soprano, Maroochy Barambah, the film portrays the tormented world of injustice; past and present perpetuated against indigenous Australians.

Set in a police lockup cell surrounded by rising floodwaters, Miriam describes to her captive audience of judge, journalist and policeman the horrors experienced by three generations of her family. BLACK RIVER incorporates breathtaking cinematography and features powerful dance sequences by the Bangarra Dance Theatre choreographed by Stephen Page.
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