by Dov Kornits
“As a proud Queenslander and Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman, receiving this award on home soil means more than words can say; it’s another important step towards giving voice to our people as the truth-tellers on the big screen,” said Leah Purcell on Elderslie Street in Winton, adding that the number 7 is her lucky number and that Elderslie also had significance to her family as that was the station where her grandmother was born.
“My hope is that through these shared stories, a beautiful homecoming transpires where unity is found and inspiration triumphs – calling untapped Indigenous talent to believe in the power of film to connect us together as one.”
Purcell’s latest creative contribution is the feature film The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, which started as a play that she wrote and starred in, and is now a feature film produced by Bunya Productions, which premiered at SXSW, going on to a successful cinema release in Australia, and plays in Winton at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival on Sunday. Purcell is also this year’s patron of the festival, which plays Australian films exclusively.
“Leah Purcell’s strength and voice continues to propel Australian Cinema into new leagues as she raises up a lineage of Indigenous talent along with her – her career helping all to see how a career in cinema can take shape in the most remarkable of ways,” said Vision Splendid Festival Director Mark Melrose.
Leah Purcell is the seventh star to be named in Winton’s Walk of Fame and will join acclaimed Indigenous Australian actor David Gulpilil, actors Steve Le Marquand and Roy Billing, director Ivan Sen, film critic Margaret Pomeranz and former Winton Mayor Butch Lenton.
Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival will run until Saturday 2 July 2022. For more information or to secure tickets, visit www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
