In the official selection of this 20th editione FIFO, Ablaze is the intimate portrait of an Aboriginal man, Bill Onus, a cultural leader but also an actor and an activist. Through this film, Alec Morgan, the director, tells the story of a great personality through the quest of his grandson Tiriki. A film where we discover never-before-seen images and a life of struggle.
It’s a bit like a police investigation. It all starts with the discovery in the national archives of old films from the 1940s. On some of these silent films, a particular man appears regularly. You see him playing the boomerang or backstage at a theater where a play is being performed with Aboriginal actors… But who is he? What was he doing? At the national archives, an expert in Aboriginal history recognizes the character: it’s Bill Onus. Director Alec Morgan and producer Tom Zubrycki become interested in these films and decide to contact Bill’s grandson, Tiriki.« He knew that his grandfather had made films on Super 8 film, most of which were burned and have since disappeared, but he didn’t know that Bill had also filmed on 35mm film. When Tiriki saw the films, he was amazed, fascinated, and surprised by what he saw. He wanted to know more. »That's why we have to be very careful," explains Tom Zubrycki, producer of Ablaze. Alec Morgan, the film’s director, and Tiriki set out to gather information and discovered a charismatic man who writes and produces plays with strong messages. His approach: to expose the situation of his people and promote Aboriginal culture. He himself was also a champion of the boomerang. «He did this to communicate to the Australian public the importance of culture. It was his political act. One can say that he was the first indigenous filmmaker. Bill was a hero; he had to face many difficulties to get his message across to the Aboriginal people; he was even considered a dangerous man by the authorities ».
Show and transmit
Over time, it became obvious that the story of this man needed to be brought to the screen. Alec Morgan therefore films the grandson of Bill on his quest. Five years following him. Five years searching to discover the full significance of this man’s message, the full significance of what he left behind.« His legacy is very important. That was indeed the main reason for making this documentary. We have little data from those years, so it’s valuable. Bill’s role was really to show how poor his people were in terms of their rights. It was a huge challenge. His role should not be forgotten! », estimates the producer who took pride in showing the documentary on Australian television channels, the indigenous and non-indigenous communities and, of course, the schools. « This film allows for the dissemination of information. For Tiriki and his family, it was important to show the truth and to convey it. The documentary has an important place in education and for the generations of today and tomorrow. ». Purchased by ABC and available on demand for eight months, Ablaze It met with great success and, after FIFO, continued its journey to other lands.
Suliane Favennec – FIFO
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