Production Credits
Year of Production2019
World Premiere2019 Sydney Film Festival
BroadcastNITV 16 December 2019
Production CoBrown Cabs
Writer & DirectorJason De Santolo
ProducerJohn Harvey
Synopsis

A young leader is devastated when Borroloola Town Camps are bombarded with water contamination notices. No one seems to be taking responsibility in the Northern Territory and with continued mining up river his family’s way of life is under constant threat. He sets out to find answers knowing that his Elders will never leave their ancestral homelands. On this quest he rediscovers hope in the healing power of story, family and culture.

Director's Biography: Jason De Santolo

Jason De Santolo (Garrwa and Barunggam) is a researcher, creative producer & father committed to forging a sustainable world for future generations through transformative research strategies, storytelling & practices of renewal. Born in Larrakia homelands—Darwin, he moved to Aoteaoroa/NZ at an early age, and studied treaty & international environmental law. His unique research practice integrates video, creative practice & renewal strategies through a Garrwa driven decolonising research paradigm. In 2014 he received a UTS Research Excellence Scholarship to undertake a creative doctorate that explores the renewal of song traditions through his passion for filmmaking & collective aspirations for self determination & sustainable autonomy. Jason submitted his Doctoral research earlier this year.

Production Credits
Featuring
  • SCOTT WURJUKUYI MCDINNY
  • NANCY YUKUWAL MCDINNY
  • GADRIAN JARWIJALMAR HOOSAN
  • JACK WONGILI GREEN
Writer & Director
  • JASON MAYAWAGU DE SANTOLO
Producer
  • JOHN HARVEY
Director of Photography
  • RYAN ALEXANDER LLOYD
Editor
  • SALLY BIASIUTTI
Sound Recordist
  • DAVID TRANTER
Composer
  • LEON RODGERS
Add’l Cintematography (Sydney)
  • FABIO CAVADINI
Add’l Sound Recordist (Sydney)
  • AMANDA KING
Illustration
  • ANNIE MCKINNON
Post Production Facility
  • SOUNDFIRM AUSTRALIA
CEO
  • ROGER SAVAGE
Post Producer—PictureGEMILA IEZZI
Post Producer—SoundSKYE HOLLINGSWORTH
Colourist
  • JONATHON BROWN
Online Editor
  • JOHN KERRON
Digital Dallies & Technical Operations Assistant
  • RUI LUI
Sound Designer
  • RALPH ORTNER
Sound Editor / Mixer
  • DAVID WILLIAMS
Sound Assistant
  • ASH STERLING
Legals
  • SHAUN MILLER LAWYERS
Production Accountant
  • ANAR SHAR, NAGLE ACCOUNTING
Impact Producer
  • PADDY GIBSON
Post Production Script
  • REEZY MILLER
Insurance
  • GALVINIIZE
Camera Equipment
  • HUMMINGBIRD
Travel
  • THE APPOINTMENT GROUP
Thanks to:

Stewart Wurralbyarngu Hoosan, Bruce Dumunthu King, Conrad Wurribiyangurnu Rory, Peter Munduwiyi Anderson, Keith Gumanja Rory, Alec Anderson, Dinah Norman Marrngawi, Brett Daybadayi Anderson, Bartemese Isaac, Vera Dickson, Junior Allen, Leonardis Dixon, Tycelle Douglas, Donte Roberts, Jason Narbarngu McDinny, Prof Jason Prior & Assoc Prof Dena Fam – Institute of Sustainable Future, Larissa Behrendt, Paddy Gibson – Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research – UTS, Dr Ian Wright, Natural Science (soSH) – University of Western Sydney.

We would also like to thank:

Screen Australia – Penny Smallacombe, Ismail Khan, Charlotte Seymour; Film Victoria – Caroline Pitcher & Alicia Brown; NITV – Anusha Duray; ABC News / ABC Lateline – Reporter Jane Bardon; Mineral Policy Institute – Lauren Mellor; Original Power – Karrina Nolan; Belinda Mravicic.

Special thanks

Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Gudanji and Mara Elders and Families; Residents of Garrwa 1 Town Camp; Institute of Sustainable Futures, UTS; Lydia, Araluen & Serema; Alison, Evelyn, Milyari & Warnurra

“Warlajbarkiyi (Rise Up)”

Performed by – Scott Wurjukuyi McDinny & Conrad Wurribiyangurnu Rory

Written by The Sandridge Band

Licenced courtesy of The Sandridge Band

“Two Laws” excerts generously provided by Alessandro Cavadini & Carolyn Strachan with support of the Borroloola Elders and Families

We would like to acknowledge and pay our respect to Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Gudanji and Mara Elders and Families and the Gadigal and Wangal People

Produced in Association with NITV

Produced with the Assistance of Film Victoria

Developed and Financed by Indigenous Department of Screen Australia

Pass It On

Read about the Sydney protest actions highlighting the community concern and lack of trust in water quality.

Share with the #WaterIsLife campaign to #ProtectNarwinbi.

Read about the epic co-designed Homeland [-o-] EBike led by the legendary Alison Cheong at GlowWorm bikes in Marrickville. Designed specifically for the family to get to contamination monitoring sites on Country.

“Origin have revealed their plans to frack for oil in the Northern Territory, against the wishes of Traditional Owners, Aboriginal communities and the majority of Territorians.” Join GetUp campaign to stop Fracking in NT. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/dont-frack-the-nt/lets-stop-origin-s-fracking-plans/origin-energy-don-t-frack-the-nt

Learn more about the Two Laws (1981) doco collaboratively produced by Borroloola Tribal Council, Carolyn Strachan and Alessandro Cavadini

Send messages of solidarity.

Check out the Warburdar Bununu trailer.

“Origin Energy and other fracking companies are lining up to frack the NT after wet season, but together, we won’t let them.” Join Protect Country Alliance https://www.protectcountrynt.org.au/

“We are a climate justice family” Watch Gadrian Hoosan deliver a strong speech to 80000 strong at the Climate Strike Sep20 https://www.facebook.com/indigenousDS/videos/vl.2847545328597426/2377276225712622/?type=1

Read this Sydney Review of Books article by writer and director, Jason De Santolo

Share our latest story.

Hear our updates, and follow @WaterShieldFilm.

Check out Our Elders Jack Green, Nancy McDinny and Stewart Hoosan have led a collaboration on a powerful new exhibition with Dr Sean Kerrins and Therese Ritchie “Lead in my Grandmothers Body” @opencut2017

Support the @WaterShield film cast and crew.

Read this @indigenousX article on the experience of water contamination by Gadrian Hoosan

Water Shield

A young leader is devastated when Borroloola Town Camps receive water contamination notices only to rediscover hope in the healing power of culture.

Year of Production2019
World Premiere2019 Sydney Film Festival
BroadcastNITV 16 December 2019
Production CoBrown Cabs
Writer & DirectorJason De Santolo
ProducerJohn Harvey
Synopsis

A young leader is devastated when Borroloola Town Camps are bombarded with water contamination notices. No one seems to be taking responsibility in the Northern Territory and with continued mining up river his family’s way of life is under constant threat. He sets out to find answers knowing that his Elders will never leave their ancestral homelands. On this quest he rediscovers hope in the healing power of story, family and culture.

Director's Biography: Jason De Santolo

Jason De Santolo (Garrwa and Barunggam) is a researcher, creative producer & father committed to forging a sustainable world for future generations through transformative research strategies, storytelling & practices of renewal. Born in Larrakia homelands—Darwin, he moved to Aoteaoroa/NZ at an early age, and studied treaty & international environmental law. His unique research practice integrates video, creative practice & renewal strategies through a Garrwa driven decolonising research paradigm. In 2014 he received a UTS Research Excellence Scholarship to undertake a creative doctorate that explores the renewal of song traditions through his passion for filmmaking & collective aspirations for self determination & sustainable autonomy. Jason submitted his Doctoral research earlier this year.

Production Credits
Featuring
  • SCOTT WURJUKUYI MCDINNY
  • NANCY YUKUWAL MCDINNY
  • GADRIAN JARWIJALMAR HOOSAN
  • JACK WONGILI GREEN
Writer & Director
  • JASON MAYAWAGU DE SANTOLO
Producer
  • JOHN HARVEY
Director of Photography
  • RYAN ALEXANDER LLOYD
Editor
  • SALLY BIASIUTTI
Sound Recordist
  • DAVID TRANTER
Composer
  • LEON RODGERS
Add’l Cintematography (Sydney)
  • FABIO CAVADINI
Add’l Sound Recordist (Sydney)
  • AMANDA KING
Illustration
  • ANNIE MCKINNON
Post Production Facility
  • SOUNDFIRM AUSTRALIA
CEO
  • ROGER SAVAGE
Post Producer—PictureGEMILA IEZZI
Post Producer—SoundSKYE HOLLINGSWORTH
Colourist
  • JONATHON BROWN
Online Editor
  • JOHN KERRON
Digital Dallies & Technical Operations Assistant
  • RUI LUI
Sound Designer
  • RALPH ORTNER
Sound Editor / Mixer
  • DAVID WILLIAMS
Sound Assistant
  • ASH STERLING
Legals
  • SHAUN MILLER LAWYERS
Production Accountant
  • ANAR SHAR, NAGLE ACCOUNTING
Impact Producer
  • PADDY GIBSON
Post Production Script
  • REEZY MILLER
Insurance
  • GALVINIIZE
Camera Equipment
  • HUMMINGBIRD
Travel
  • THE APPOINTMENT GROUP
Thanks to:

Stewart Wurralbyarngu Hoosan, Bruce Dumunthu King, Conrad Wurribiyangurnu Rory, Peter Munduwiyi Anderson, Keith Gumanja Rory, Alec Anderson, Dinah Norman Marrngawi, Brett Daybadayi Anderson, Bartemese Isaac, Vera Dickson, Junior Allen, Leonardis Dixon, Tycelle Douglas, Donte Roberts, Jason Narbarngu McDinny, Prof Jason Prior & Assoc Prof Dena Fam – Institute of Sustainable Future, Larissa Behrendt, Paddy Gibson – Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research – UTS, Dr Ian Wright, Natural Science (soSH) – University of Western Sydney.

We would also like to thank:

Screen Australia – Penny Smallacombe, Ismail Khan, Charlotte Seymour; Film Victoria – Caroline Pitcher & Alicia Brown; NITV – Anusha Duray; ABC News / ABC Lateline – Reporter Jane Bardon; Mineral Policy Institute – Lauren Mellor; Original Power – Karrina Nolan; Belinda Mravicic.

Special thanks

Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Gudanji and Mara Elders and Families; Residents of Garrwa 1 Town Camp; Institute of Sustainable Futures, UTS; Lydia, Araluen & Serema; Alison, Evelyn, Milyari & Warnurra

“Warlajbarkiyi (Rise Up)”

Performed by – Scott Wurjukuyi McDinny & Conrad Wurribiyangurnu Rory

Written by The Sandridge Band

Licenced courtesy of The Sandridge Band

“Two Laws” excerts generously provided by Alessandro Cavadini & Carolyn Strachan with support of the Borroloola Elders and Families

We would like to acknowledge and pay our respect to Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Gudanji and Mara Elders and Families and the Gadigal and Wangal People

Produced in Association with NITV

Produced with the Assistance of Film Victoria

Developed and Financed by Indigenous Department of Screen Australia

Read this @indigenousX article on the experience of water contamination by Gadrian Hoosan

Read this Sydney Review of Books article by writer and director, Jason De Santolo

“We are a climate justice family” Watch Gadrian Hoosan deliver a strong speech to 80000 strong at the Climate Strike Sep20 https://www.facebook.com/indigenousDS/videos/vl.2847545328597426/2377276225712622/?type=1

Check out the Warburdar Bununu trailer.

Share with the #WaterIsLife campaign to #ProtectNarwinbi.

“Origin have revealed their plans to frack for oil in the Northern Territory, against the wishes of Traditional Owners, Aboriginal communities and the majority of Territorians.” Join GetUp campaign to stop Fracking in NT. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/dont-frack-the-nt/lets-stop-origin-s-fracking-plans/origin-energy-don-t-frack-the-nt

Read about the epic co-designed Homeland [-o-] EBike led by the legendary Alison Cheong at GlowWorm bikes in Marrickville. Designed specifically for the family to get to contamination monitoring sites on Country.

Check out Our Elders Jack Green, Nancy McDinny and Stewart Hoosan have led a collaboration on a powerful new exhibition with Dr Sean Kerrins and Therese Ritchie “Lead in my Grandmothers Body” @opencut2017

Support the @WaterShield film cast and crew.

Read about the Sydney protest actions highlighting the community concern and lack of trust in water quality.

“Origin Energy and other fracking companies are lining up to frack the NT after wet season, but together, we won’t let them.” Join Protect Country Alliance https://www.protectcountrynt.org.au/

Send messages of solidarity.

Learn more about the Two Laws (1981) doco collaboratively produced by Borroloola Tribal Council, Carolyn Strachan and Alessandro Cavadini

Hear our updates, and follow @WaterShieldFilm.

Share our latest story.

Screen Australia in association with Film Victoria, NITV and Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research present a Brown Cabs Production.

Website design by Kristelle De Freitas & development by Thomas Ricciardiello. Photographs by Ryan Alexander Lloyd.