#108 Regenerating Australia
Damon Gameau on the new film, fund & 2030 vision
Damon Gameau has been a wonderful presence in so many of our lives for a couple of decades now - from his prominent acting career, to his transformation into an award-winning film-maker. There’s his timeless Tropfest winner Animal Beatbox, through to his legendary documentary features That Sugar Film and 2040. Now there’s a new film about to launch, with the vision honed towards 2030. This vital decade. It’s another master work – a short film with a big story. It’s called Regenerating Australia.
Damon Gameau (supplied).
“I wanted people to leave these events when we tour around the country, and walk with a spring in their step. And go, ok, wow, this Regeneration thing feels different. It’s not just a mental construct. I can feel it in my heart, I can feel it in my spirit. There’s something really meaningful and exciting about this.”
Along with the film, there’ll be another huge outreach effort, a community projects funding program, and more. This time, Damon draws on visions expressed by communities around Australia, uniting on key themes across political and other divides. This is our take off point, and from there our conversation weaves through some of the many layers of the film, our country, and our respective personal paths. From what Regeneration means, and how to protect it, to the practicalities of how the film will roll out in the lead up to a pivotal and promising federal election.
The community independents movement continues to gather momentum, along with so many other aspects of regeneration. Though I wondered, given Damon’s focus on these stories of regeneration, how we might hold the darker aspects. And how his friendship with the late great Aboriginal performer David Gulpilil shaped his understanding of story, from the perspective of this Country’s first story-tellers.
You’ll also hear a sneak preview of the beautiful soundtrack to the new film.
This conversation was recorded online on 11 February 2022.
Get more:
If you’d like to hear my conversation with Cathy McGowan that Damon referred to, head to episode 85.
And you’ll find the Songlines book we talk about here.
Hear more of Amelia Barden, composer of the Regenerating Australia film soundtrack.
You can also hear my previous conversations with Damon on the podcast for episodes 30 (just as 2040 was being finished), 38 (when it premiered in Perth) and 77 (when 2021 began).
Music:
Regeneration (from the Regenerating Australia soundtrack), composed by Amelia Barden.