WA Filmmaker to speak at National Healing Day

21 May 2005

Short Courses

WA indigenous filmmaker, Christine Jacobs, has been invited to speak at the Launch of National Healing Day at Federal Parliament on Wednesday 25 May.

Christine Jacobs’ short film DON’T SAY SORRY, was recently screened on ABC TV as part of the DEADLY YARNS production initiative between the ABC, the Film & Television Institute and ScreenWest to assist West Australian indigenous filmmakers.

The film attracted the attention of National Sorry Day Committee Secretary, John Bond who said “We felt the experience, which Christine relates, is exactly what needs to be heard at the event”.

“Our national leaders need to hear the kind of experience she has endured, and also hear the greatness of her spirit, which has refused to be crushed, but has lifted her from that experience into all that she is doing now” he said.

A passionate advocate of reconciliation, Christine has been invited to show her film to open the National Healing Day event to 800 people, including 35 Members of Parliament.

Chaired by Senator Aiden Ridgeway, other speakers include Professor Fiona Stanley, 2003 Australian of the Year and Mike de Gagne, Executive Director of Canada’s $400m Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Christine Jacobs’ wrote and co-directed DON’T SAY SORRY, which was produced by Excalibur Films at the Film & Television Institute WA.

The film tells of her very personal experience of being a stolen child, a mission kid, rebel, young mum full of anger and empty of self-esteem on the verge of suicide. It tells of her becoming reconciled with herself and situation and sends the clear message ‘I don’t want your pity, I just want you to listen’.

“Audiences have been bowled over by the power of Christine’s presentation of her life’s story and the uniqueness of the film’s mis en scene” said the film’s producer and co-director, Paul Roberts.

“There have been numerous inquiries from people wanting to purchase the film for educational, teaching or healing purposes. This demonstrates the power of the medium, the power of a great human story well told”.