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Australia's Twilight of the Dreamtime

A look at the land and wildlife of Kakadu National Park in northern Australia through the eyes of the traditional Gagudju people. The Aboriginal people see the land and all living beings, including humanity, as belonging to a single life force, a belief that is enshrined in the Dreamtime. The film explores this concept through the wildlife and the Gagudju's art, myths and dance. The Dreamtime and the culture it supports is in retreat, something that brings inexpressible sadness and pain to the last remaining elders.

Commissioned and distributed worldwide by the National Geographic Society, Washington DC, PBS Station WQED, Pittsburgh, both of the USA.

Produced, directed and photographed by Stanley Breeden and Belinda Wright
Written by Stanley Breeden
Sound recorded by Belinda Wright assisted by David O'Dell
Edited by Barry Nye
Music by Terry Oldfield

Awards

INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL 1989, Missoula Montana, USA
Best of Festival Runner-up
Best of Human Dimensions Category
Merit Award for Portraying the Spiritual Relationships of Indigenous People to their Natural Environment
Merit Award for Portrayal of Ecological and Cultural Diversity
Merit Award for Musical Score and Soundtrack
Merit Award for Outstanding Cinematography

EMMY AWARDS, 1989, USA
Emmy for writing: Stanley Breeden
Emmy Nomination for Cinematography: Stanley Breeden and Belinda Wright
Emmy Nomination for Sound Recording: Belinda Wright
Emmy Nomination for Music: Terry Oldfield
Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Cultural, Historical and Informational Programming

Festival Screenings

I have been unable to obtain any details from NGS or WQED about this.

Selected Reviews – extracts

“A stunning National Geographic Special about the last living elders of an aboriginal culture known as the Gagudju.”

“This Special tries to capture the mystic quality of the people, the land, their culture and traditions as seen through the eyes of the Gagudju themselves. It succeeds brilliantly”

Arthur Unger in “The Christian Science Monitor”, USA 09-02-1988

“With ‘Australia’s Twilight of the Dreamtime’ the National Geographic Society surpasses even their usual excellence.

With the only editorialising coming from the sad drone of the digeridoo, Stanley Breeden and Belinda Wright have lovingly documented a culture and a noble way of life. In the process they have also created – in every sense – a beautiful work of art.”

Bill Steigerwald in the ‘Los Angeles Times’, USA 10-02-1988

“If ‘Twilight of the Dreamtime’ disappoints, it’s only because it doesn’t last all night. It’s fascinating”

Michael Dougan in ‘San Francisco Examiner’, USA Feb 1988

“It’s a painful spectacle to watch, not because bulldozers hover over the horizon, but because of the beauty and elegance of the ancient ways. Contemporary society has sacrificed greatly to become what it is.”

Susan Rife Cox in “The Bakersfield Californian’, USA 10-02-1988

“’Twilight of the Dreamtime’ is a visual delight and a rare insight into another culture. But its poignancy goes further than that. A piece of human history is slipping away.”

Joan Crowder in “Santa Barbara Press”, USA Feb 1988

“If a major goal of film is to transport you to other worlds and other cultures, few movies could be more successful than ‘Twilight of the Dreamtime’.”

Jerry Krupnick in “The Star-Ledger” Newark 11-02-1988

“This is an artfully crafted documentary about an endangered species whose way of life is threatened by the encroachment of civilised man. Sound familiar? The species, in this case, is human – the aboriginal Gagudju tribe. The documentary, superbly produced by Stanley Breeden and Belinda Wright, profiles the tribe’s four oldest members.

In addition to the sociology, there’s some stunning nature photography, and the artwork from the Gagudju artisans is noble and beautiful.”

David Bianculli, “The Philadelphia Inquirer” USA 10-02-1988

“This is one of the most compellingly beautiful programs in the history of this much acclaimed series. Filmed in exquisite colour by Stanley Breeden and Belinda Wright it contains stunning footage of the abundant wildlife in Kakadu and a haunting landscape that seems perfectly suited to the complex folklore of its original inhabitants.”

Ron Millar syndicated in Knight Rider Newspapers, USA Feb 1988

“A gem, ‘Twilight of the Dreamtime’ shows what environmentalism is truly all about.

Stanley Breeden’s unusually fine script picks up on the relationships, on the harmony with the environment and the unity of all living things.”

Daily Variety, Hollywood, USA Feb 1988