This month we sat down with filmmakers Curtis Taylor and Nathan Mewett to chat about their take on Kujunkarrinjanka.
Kujunkarrinjanka is a Martu word which means coming together.
Curtis’ family are Martu and he was raised in Bidyadanga and Parnnggur. Nathan’s family hail from Poland and he grew up in Telfer.
They first came together at Murdoch University where Nathan worked and Curtis was studying film. They both worked on Glen Stasiuks’ documentary called Wadjemup: Black Prison, White Playground where they got to know each other.
Nathan says, “I remember the moment we were on set when Curtis pulled out his phone and showed me how close Parnngurr is to Telfer. We had actually grown up really close to each other in the western desert but hadn’t known.”
And that wasn’t all they had in common. “Some time after we started working together, I saw Curtis’ NITV film, Mammu, and I realized what I
had initially thought: our film making styles are very similar” Nathan said.
“Our films have a big heart and focus on community” Curtis added.
“It’s innate. We think alike”.
Since meeting at Murdoch the pair have gone on to collaborate on several critically acclaimed film projects including Yulubidyi – Until The End and Jadai, the Broome Brawler, both of which were screened at the Sydney Film Festival. The pair were also awarded the Lexus Australia Short Film Fellowship in 2018
“I value my working relationship with Curtis” said Nathan, “It’s really rewarding”.
“Our friendship was cemented through film making and life” added Curtis. “I wouldn’t be sitting here now without Nathan. I wouldn’t have foreseen the future we have now.”
And last month Curtis and Nathan came to Newman to talk to Aboriginal youth about what they would like to see in their future. The views of these youth will be produced as a short film as part of Newman Futures. Stay tuned for the premier later this year.
What does Kujunkarrinjanka mean to you?
Curtis: In Newman there’s still a divide between people. Kujunkarrinjanka starts with forgiveness. Admissions to each other, then forgiveness. After this, you can move the conversation along. Then a lot of people will be more open to engaging with each other.
