Stones in a long path
Urban Clan: A portrait of the Page Brothers and the Bangarra Dance Theatre
Directed by Michelle Mahrer
MusicArtsDance films
Review by Claudine Holt
The title of this documentary is apt. Three urban indigenous Australians, from the one family, combine their talents in the critically acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre. The film is much more about the brothers Stephen, Russell and David Page than about the dance company itself. But it is through the dance company that their talents are displayed.
The Page brothers are descendants of the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh tribe from south-east Queensland. Stephen is the artistic director and choreographer of the Bangarra Dance Company, formed in 1989 and based in Sydney. Russell is a dancer with the company and David is a composer, who created the score for Bangarra's current work Fish.
Together they are an exciting creative force that puts its stamp on the company.
A lot of time is devoted to placing the brothers in their family environment and locating their Aboriginal roots. We see them at family gatherings, and both parents are interviewed. I loved the excerpts from the family's home movies, which showed early signs of the boys' exuberance and interest in performance.
All three find inspiration in their Aboriginal heritage. David, whose excellent music features throughout the film, is interested in researching Aboriginal languages and weaving elements of his discovery through his compositions.
Stephen, through his contact with the Yirrkala community in Arnhem Land, combines traditional dance, inspired by the landscape and connection with the land, with contemporary movement. They all have a strong commitment to finding a modern expression of this ancient culture through dance, music and storytelling.
The result is magical. There are at least half a dozen dance sequences throughout the video which show how captivating the dance company is. If you don't get the opportunity to see live dance performances often, then Urban Clan is worth watching just for these. With creative lighting and shot construction, director Michelle Mahrer has captured the excitement and energy of the dances
The frequent Sydney urban landscapes and aerial outback shots keep the viewer reminded of Aboriginal connection to the land. These brothers are "stones", as Russell Page says, "in a path that's been laid out for thousands of years" and which stretches right through to the urban decay and lack of rights that Aborigines experience today.
They see dance not just as an art form but as a weapon to fight against ignorance and injustice.