162. Tim Winton on Ningaloo Nyinggulu
An epic film series & tour
This is a special release episode with Tim Winton, broadly considered the preeminent Australian writer of his generation. And not just in Australia. His books have been translated into 28 languages, sold millions of copies, and resulted in numerous prestigious awards (including another one just this week). He’s also in the Australian Surfing Awards Hall of Fame, and has a species of native Australian fish named in his honour. But over the last few years, we were aware Tim had jumped in the deep end as writer, narrator and executive producer of a major film production.
Tim releasing a very eager rescued turtle (from the film).
“We’re a genius species. We are really an exceptional, impressive bit of gear. And we’ve done incredible, amazing things, and I’m not ashamed to be a human. I’m not a self-hating human in that sense. But you just have to have enough humility to realise that all the best parts about the world is the stuff that we can’t make.”
Ningaloo Nyinggulu surfaced at a community screening in Exmouth a few days ago, and will premiere nationwide in Australia on Tuesday 16 May, having also just launched globally as Ningaloo Nyinggulu: Australia’s Ocean Wonder.
The blurb reads: ‘Over three episodes filmed in remote Western Australia, Tim shares the wonders of the place that has inspired his work for decades, joining Traditional Owners, scientists and other experts to understand how Ningaloo endures as a mighty global lifeboat of biodiversity, and showcases why it is a beacon of hope in the face of an extinction crisis and climate emergency.’
This story is grounded in rich cultural heritage dating back more than 40,000 years, in a place that colonial Australia had once destined to be little more than a quarry and oilfield. Over 2000 hours of footage was shot over a 2-year period, portraying the extraordinary resurgence of culture and country happening here.
You’ll also hear a special preview release here of some of the wonderful soundtrack from the film.
See more photos including behind the scenes by becoming a subscriber via the Patreon page.
This conversation was recorded on 5 May 2023.
Find more:
Watch the trailer of Ningaloo Nyinggulu. It premieres in Australia on the ABC from Tuesday 16 May 2023. And the global release can be streamed on Love Nature & Sky Nature.
Tim’s national tour dates, starting Saturday 13 May in regional Victoria (all shows sold out except for Kyneton on Saturday night – waiting lists available in some cases).
Join in the Protect Ningaloo campaign.
For more with Tim Winton, listen to episode 81.
And to hear more about the archaeological work happening in Cape Range right now, listen to episode 83 with Peter Veth (also featured in the film series).
Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the film Regenerating Australia, available for community screenings now.
The Sargassum piece, by Ash Gibson Greig, off the soundtrack for the film series Ningaloo Nyinggulu, with the kind permission of Artemis Media and the artist.