by FilmInk Staff
LANGUAGE OF BIRDS, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed documentary and drama director/writer Erica Glynn (She Who Must Be Loved Berlinale 2019), is now in post-production following a five week shoot in the raw beauty of Australia’s remote North East Arnhem Land.
Starring actor Rärriwuy Hick (True Colours, Gods of Wheat Street, Wentworth) in her debut feature lead performance, and introducing Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Language of Birds is the story of an Aboriginal mother and daughter battling to fall in love after a lifetime apart. Different languages, culture and two strong wills make this nearly impossible. Lucky they have each other.
Screenplay by Erica Glynn based on Marie Munkara’s novel ‘Of Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea’, Language of Birds is produced by Glynn together with Charlotte Seymour for Feet First Films in association with Seymour Films, and Sue Maslin (The Dressmaker, Jimpa).
Co-producers are Rärriwuy Hick and Carly Maple (Talk To Me, Bring Her Back), with Associate Producer Libby Collins (Top End Bub, Manutji Catching Eyes).
Set and shot on location in Yirrkala, Gunyangara and Nhulunbuy, North East Arnhem Land, the filmmakers collaborated closely with the Indigenous custodians of the lands and waterways, the clan communities of the Yolŋu nation.
Rärriwuy Hick, a celebrated Yolŋu actor from the North East Arnhem Land community of Dhalinybuy, together with Lirrina Munuggurr, played significant roles in establishing the production’s connection with their families, the Traditional Owners of the Rirratjingu, Gumatj, Wangurri, and Ḏäṯiwuy clans to ensure the essential cultural and logistical consultation required to site both the production and the story on their Country.
The majority Yolŋu cast includes performers Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale, The Royal Hotel), Witiyana Marika (High Ground), Frances Djulibing (Ten Canoes), Jennifer Budukpuduk (Charlie’s Country), Banula Marika (Bedevil), Mangatjay Yunupingu (Yolngu Boy), alongside an ensemble of newcomers marking their feature film screen debuts.
Director/writer/producer Erica Glynn says “The search to find and connect with your blood family is a common feature of most Aboriginal Australians’ life. If we aren’t looking for someone we know was stolen as a child, someone stolen is looking for us. Language of Birds portrays an intimate dance played out by May and her mother Nita as they attempt to fall back in love after 30 years apart. It has been a joy to craft this film with such dedicated collaborators, and in such an incredible community.”
Producer Charlotte Seymour says “Language of Birds is a welcome to country for May who could never have imagined the story she was born into. Misunderstandings between mothers and daughters are universal and re-connecting is never straightforward. Erica’s raw, delicate directing style reflects this and speaks directly to people’s hearts.”
Screen Australia Head of First Nations Content Gillian Moody-Ardler said, “Language of Birds is a powerful and poignant story that explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, identity and cultural connection. Brought to life by the experienced team at Feet First Films and director Erica Glynn in her debut feature film, the story is imbued with Blak humour and heart. Both intimate and universal, Language of Birds offers a moving reflection on First Nations experiences that will connect with audiences locally and globally.”
Screen Territory Senior Director Jennie Hughes says “The Northern Territory is home to extraordinary stories, remarkable First Nations talent and some of the most stunning landscapes in Australia. Language of Birds brings all three together, with the spectacular beauty of North East Arnhem Land providing the backdrop to this deeply personal story.
We are particularly proud to support a production that showcases the talents of Territorians including Erica Glynn, Rärriwuy Hick, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Libby Collins, Dylan River and Aoife Murray, working alongside the Yolŋu community on Country. The Territory has an incredible depth of stories and creative talent, and productions such as Language of Birds demonstrate the importance of bringing these stories to the screen and sharing them with audiences around the globe,” Ms Hughes said.
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “VicScreen is proud to support some of Australia’s leading First Peoples creatives, including Erica Glynn, Rärriwuy Hick and Dylan River, in bringing this moving story of family, Country and culture to the screen. Created by a highly experienced female-producing team led by Charlotte Seymour and post-produced in Victoria, Language of Birds is a heartfelt mother-daughter story that will resonate with audiences everywhere.”
AFF CEO and Creative Director, Mat Kesting, said “Adelaide Film Festival has long supported First Nations stories to be realised and Erica Glynn’s Language of Birds will be a highlight of AFF in October 2027. Her authentic voice is one that AFF is proud to support and it is films like this that help reinforce our national identity.”
Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation Chairman, Wanyubi Marika, says “Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation is proud to have supported this important film project, which showcases our spectacular landscapes, rich culture, and way of life, while providing an authentic platform for Yolŋu voices to be heard and celebrated on screen. We are especially proud to see Yolŋu people playing key roles across the cast and production team, demonstrating the incredible talent of East Arnhem Land and helping to create pathways into the Australian film industry. We hope audiences across the country and around the world will gain a deeper appreciation of Yolŋu culture and the unique place we hold in the story of Australia.”
Director of Photography is Dylan River (The Beach, Audrey Napanangka, Sweet Country), working alongside Production Designer Michael Leon (Wolfram), Costume Designer Heather Wallace (The New Boy, The Babadook), Head of Makeup Aoife Murray (Kangaroo), Sound Recordist Will Sheridan (My Brilliant Career, Sweet Country), Editor Chris Plummer (Kangaroo, Chasing Millions, Joika The American) and Sound Designer Liam Egan (The Correspondent, Wolfram).
Cultural advisers included custodians and leaders Janet Guypuŋura Munyarryun and Djakapurra Munyarryun both founding members of Bangarra Dance Company, Witiyana Marika, a founding member of Yothu Yindi and producer/star of High Ground, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Principal of the Yirrkala Bilingual School and author of 6 books, along with Siena Mayatu Wurmarri Stubbs and Guruguru Hick.
Production credit: Language of Birds is a Feet First Films production. Major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in association with Screen Territory, Minderoo Pictures, and Soundfirm. Financed with support from Fine Cut Films, Rio Tinto Gove, the Australian Cultural Fund, VicScreen, Adelaide Film Festival, Snow Foundation, Jane Wolfe and the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation. Local distribution by RadioActive Pictures. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW.
Image: Rärriwuy Hick as May in Erica Glynn’s Language of Birds. Photo courtesy Feet First Films.
