The New Boy, which premiered in May at the Cannes Film Festival, stars Cate Blanchett, Aswan Reid, Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair. It follows an orphaned Aboriginal boy (Reid) who is sent to a remote monastery run by renegade nun Sister Eileen (Blanchett) and who begins to demonstrate signs of a divine presence.
The screening is part of a broader NFSA program at Acton entitled Ngara (Listen in Dharawal language), reflecting the NAIDOC Week theme: ‘For Our Elders’. The program also includes screenings of Thornton’s acclaimed Samson and Delilah (2009); Rachel Perkins’ 1998 drama Radiance, newly restored through the NFSA Restores program; and Andy Nehl’s 2000 documentary Buried Country, which tells the story of Aboriginal country music.
The Buried Country event includes a live performance by local musician and Wiradjuri man Jerikye Williams. The closing event is a free screening of Alec Morgan’s 1983 documentary Lousy Little Sixpence, which shares the experiences of Stolen Generation survivors forced into unpaid labour.
In 2023, the NFSA celebrates NAIDOC and its theme ‘For our Elders’ with Ngara Buwindja Nangamai (Listen, Remember, Dream in Dharawal language), a program curated by Gillian Moody featuring screenings and events at Acton and digital content on a range of NFSA platforms.
Moody, a Wodi Wodi woman, is an award-winning filmmaker and the NFSA’s Senior Manager Indigenous Connections. ‘The National Film and Sound Archive is committed to sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories that represent the achievements, the celebrations and the difficult conversations of our past,’ said Moody.
NAIDOC WEEK AT THE NFSA: FULL PROGRAM AT ARC CINEMA
NFSA RESTORES: RADIANCE (1998)
THURS 29 JUN | 6PM | Arc Cinema | $12/$10 www.nfsa.gov.au/events/nfsa-restores-radiance
Director: Rachel Perkins
Three sisters must confront the ghosts of their past.
ADVANCE SCREENING: THE NEW BOY (2023)
FRI 30 JUN | 6PM | Arc Cinema | $15/$13 www.nfsa.gov.au/events/advance-screening-new-boy
Director: Warwick Thornton
The NFSA proudly presents a special advance screening of Warwick Thornton’s new film, starring Cate Blanchett, Aswan Reid, Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair.
SAMSON AND DELILAH (2009)
SAT 1 JUL | 6PM | Arc Cinema | $12/$10 www.nfsa.gov.au/events/samson-and-delilah
Director: Warwick Thornton
Unwanted and alone, two teenagers set out in a stolen car, discovering that life isn’t always fair, but love never judges.
BURIED COUNTRY (2000) + Jerikye Williams performance
FRI 7 JUL | 6PM | Arc Cinema | $12/$10 www.nfsa.gov.au/events/buried-country-jerikye-williams-performance
Director: Andy Nehl
Celebrating the rich history of First Nations Australians and country music.
LOUSY LITTLE SIXPENCE (1983)
SAT 8 JUL | 2PM | Arc Cinema | FREE www.nfsa.gov.au/events/lousy-little-sixpence-16mm
Director: Alec Morgan
An influential documentary highlighting experiences of Stolen Generation survivors forced into unpaid servitude, and the foundation of the Aborigines Progressive Association.
