Discover this moving short by renowned writer and director Wayne Blair.
Eleven-year-old Frankie Dollar is the leader of the Djarn Djarns, a group that performs traditional Aboriginal dances. There's always plenty going on at the cultural centre where the dancers often perform and on this particular day they seem to be very much in demand. But Frankie is really in the doldrums because one year ago to the day, his father died. Now he needs his friends more than ever.
The Djarn Djarns is the story of a young Aboriginal boy who, in the course of one day, negotiates grief and friendship, loyalty and betrayal. Hunter Page-Lochard, who plays the lead role of Frankie, manages this challenging mix of emotions with charm and strength.
Frankie's journey is set against contrasting worlds: the razzle-dazzle showbiz of the Dreamtime Centre where Frankie is a traditional dancer – or djarn djarn – and the dark domestic history of the death of Frankie's father, the absence of his mother and Frankie's subsequent sexual abuse by his mother's white boyfriend.
The link between these worlds in Frankie's life is the love of his fellow djarn djarns. It is that mateship between boys that makes The Djarn Djarns – despite its difficult dramatic terrain – a hopeful film that is, by turns, poignant, disturbing, satirical and funny. (Source: Creative Spirits)
Following the screening a discussion will be held by First Nations Curator Jenna Warwick.
Supporting Partner
Event duration
60 mins
Where
First Nations Film Club
Watch films from ACMI's collection and beyond, looking back on the trailblazing storytellers and seminal works that have paved the way for First Peoples stories on screen.
Join the club
You will need to be a member of the First Nations Film Club to attend this session. By becoming a member of the Club, you'll also get a range of ACMI member benefits.