Filmed in the Kimberley, on the lands of the Bunuba people in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia with company dancers, creatives and community members the music video/song, This is Australia, is inspired by American Rapper Childish Gambino’s This is America.
This is Australia examines the nation’s shameful fixation with incarceration, challenges Australia’s fear of the unknown — disgraceful levels of indigenous imprisonment, indefinite detainment of asylum seekers, Blak deaths in custody, human rights offences in youth detention centres and forced removal of indigenous children.
Featuring lyrics and vocals by the first indigenous WAM (Western Australian Music) Song of the Year Grand Prize Winner Beni Bjah, This is Australia joins a global movement of remakes examining human rights issues faced in Iraq, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Brazil and more.
Copyright — Marrugeku Inc. 2022
This Is Australia by Marrugeku
Directors: Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain
Marrugeku Producer: Gillian Moody
Originally by Childish Gambino
Australian Lyrics, Vocals, Recording: Beni Bjah
Music Production: Dazastah, Sam Serruys and Paul Charlier
Australian Additional Vocals: Zachary Lopez
Australian choreography: Dalisa Pigram with the performers
Cinematographer: David Tran
Editor and Colourist: Darrin Baker
Costume Designer: Zoe Atkinson
Marrugeku Cast
Rapper: Beni Bjah
Dancers: Luke Currie-Richardson, Emmanuel James Brown, Bhenji Ra, Ses Bero, Feras Shaheen, Issa El-Assaad, Chandler Connell, Macon Escobal Riley, Ashleigh Musk
Extras
Community Co-ordinator & Ute Driver: Kristen Andrews
Stockman: Dillon James Andrews
Bunuba Dancer: Samuel Keith Andrews
Bunuba Dancer: Daniel Powdrill
Bunuba Dancer: Roderick Andrews
Artist: Phillip Munda
Woman standing: Debra Pigram
Boy on Bike: Alfonso Collard
Boy on Bike: Ruairdidh Williams
Police Car Driver: Natalie Smith
4WD Driver: Guy Boyce
Youth Dancer: Autumn Myers
Youth Dancer: Samiah Ross
Youth Dancer: Conway Allan Griffiths Chunnery
Youth Dancer: Lochlan Marr
Youth Dancer and Boy on Bike: Bohdi Ross
Marrugeku Staff
Co-Artistic Directors: Dalisa Pigram & Rachael Swain
General Manager: Guy Boyce
Producer: Natalie Smith
Company Manager: Denise Wilson
Shoot Crew
Camera Assistant: Vincent Carter
Camera Assistant: Arthur Hunter
Runner: Megan Neshoda
Costume Assistant, Props,
Supervisor and Chaperone: Michelle Siciliano
Thank you to: Mary Aiken, Joe Ross and June Oscar – Bunuba Elders for Welcoming us to your Country, Fitzroy Valley District High School – Nicola Angell, Michelle Siciliano and Linda Jones, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley and Megan Neshoda, Goolarri Media, Fitzroy River Lodge, Andrea Myers and Ben Ross.
This is Australia was funded by Lotterywest through Stream E — Sector Support for Resilient Arts and Culture Organisations.
Marrugeku is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, plus the New South Wales Government through Create NSW.
