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Ronin Films

CAAMA Collection

OLD MAN AND THE INLAND SEA, THE [from the CAAMA Collection]

Year: 2005

Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: G

Runtime: 20 min

Produced In: Australia

Directed By: Warwick Thornton

Produced By: Warwick Thornton

Language: English + English subtitles

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The stark, barren landscapes around Coober Pedy are stunningly photographed by Warwick Thornton, who also directed this outstanding short film. Thornton went on to achieve international recognition in 2009 for his first feature, SAMSON AND DELILAH.

THE OLD MAN AND THE INLAND SEA is a character study of an old man named Norman Hayes Jagamarra who gave up droving and came to Coober Pedy decades ago to work as an opal-miner. Norman is a "noodler" - someone who sifts through the mining scrap-heaps looking for remnant opals among the rubble. Although Norman qualifies for the old-age pension, he'd rather not take the "sit-down money" and prefers to keep noodling and be self-sufficient.

Norman's reminiscences reveal his dignity and pride in his work. He reflects on his years in the Coober Pedy area, about the devastating impact of the introduction of alcohol and the social dislocation that followed for many Aboriginal people. He also talks about the greed that disrupted the life on the diggings.

Norman's story is backed by a superb original music score by the Dirty Three.


Writer/director/photographer - Warwick Thornton
Editor - James Bradley
Music - Dirty Three
Sound recordist - Vance Glynn
Production Co-ordinator - Trisha Morton-Thomas
Executive Producer - Jacqui North
Production Manager - Rachel Clements


Follow this link to view a trailer that includes this title and other CAAMA titles: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFJiiPPT3bg

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