Celebrating Uncle Jack Charles

Celebrating Uncle Jack Charles

On Wednesday 19 October, ACMI will pay tribute to beloved Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Taungurung Elder, actor, artist and activist, Uncle Jack Charles, who passed away on 13 September 2022.

This free event, Celebrating Uncle Jack Charles, will commence with Gavin Somers, the Director of First Nations, Equity and Social Policy at ACMI, and Rachel Maza, the Artistic Director of Ilbijerri Theatre Company, sharing their memories of Uncle Jack. This will be followed by a selection of Uncle Jack’s screen highlights from the sketch comedy series Black Comedy (2014-2020) and the premiere episode of the doomsday-themed comedy series, Preppers (2021).

Gavin Somers said: “Uncle Jack was an inspiration to so many Australians through his extraordinary creativity and advocacy. He shared his stories with people of all ages and helped us navigate difficult conversations with incredible warmth, insight, vulnerability and humour. We are so proud to be celebrating the extraordinary life of Uncle Jack Charles with this special event at ACMI.”

Uncle Jack leaves an incredible legacy in his work on screen and off screen. Steadfast in his support of emerging artists and a tireless advocate for First Nations people, he used his enormous talent, energy and spirit to captivate audiences locally and internationally across film, television, stage and radio.

Uncle Jack’s extensive film credits include The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (Fred Schepisi, 1978), Blackfellas (James Ricketson, 1993), Bedevil (Tracey Moffat, 1993), Bastardy (Amiel Courtin-Wilson, 2008), Mystery Road (Ivan Sen, 2013), Pan (Joe Wright, 2015) and The True History of the Kelly Gang (Justin Kurzel, 2020). He was also featured in memorable television appearances in Hyllus Maris’ seminal series Women of the Sun (1981), the ABC’s Cleverman (2016), The Gods of Wheat Street (2014) and most recently Nakkiah Lui’s Preppers (2021).

Uncle Jack’s family have given permission for his name and image to be used.

Celebrating Uncle Jack Charles will take place on Wednesday 19 October at ACMI in Fed Square, Melbourne. For more info on how to book tickets for this free event, visit acmi.net.au

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ACMI is Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The museum reopened in February 2021 after a two-year, $40 million redevelopment – an architectural, programmatic and technological transformation. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art with ACMI. The museum celebrates the wonder and power of the world’s most democratic artform – fostering the next generation of makers, players and watchers. ACMI’s vibrant calendar of exhibitions, screenings, commissions, festivals, and industry and education programs explore the stories, technologies and artists that create our shared screen culture. More at acmi.net.au