Movies

Jindalee Lady

Synopsis

Jindalee Lady tells the story of a young Aboriginal woman sets out to build a career in the fashion industry. It is an urban love triangle involving an Aboriginal fashion designer, her white music executive husband and an Aboriginal cinematographer.

Lauren is a rising, beautiful Aboriginal woman at the top of her professional game as an elite Australian fashion designer, but her philandering husband David neglects her constantly.

His constant absence mixed with suave flirtation trap her in their one-sided, painful relationship until she walks in on him cheating with one of her star models.

Disgusted, disillusioned and angry, she flies into the arms of a handsome, steadfast lover of Aboriginal decent and decides to start her life anew. But as she manages her business, with a new lover besides, can Lauren find happiness in her new life without David? Or will she run back to his destructive charms?

With numerous references to Lauren's ancestral heritage, Jindalee Lady paints a brilliant story of Aboriginal men and women fighting for respect and success in modern society.

My community believes it is essential for the survival of my race that we see ourselves living in urban Australia, involved in personal and emotional issues that do not exclusively revolved around poverty and lower socio economic groupings.

— Brian Syron, director

I would like to add my support to your endeavours in producing a film aiming to present an image, both positive and successful, of Aboriginal people. Films such as Jindalee Lady assist in promoting an understanding of Aboriginal aims and aspirations to the wider community and by doing so help understanding between Aboriginal people and other Australians.

— Robert Tickner, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs 1990 – 1996

Many people may wonder how many people of Chinese, Indian, French or Polish origin have made a feature film in Australia. I have no idea. What I do know is that there have been many Chinese, Indian, French and Polish people who have directed feature films in China, India, France and Poland—but only two Aboriginal people have ever directed a feature film in Australia—their own country.

— Brian Syron

Thanks to Andrew Bushnell for pointing me to this movie.

Details

Cast
Lydia Miller - Lauren
Patrick Ward - David
Michael Leslie - Greg
Joanna Lambert - Julia
Justine Saunders - ?
Jon Alderman - Ambulanceman
Bangarra Dance Theatre - dancers
Jason Behrendt - Film crew
Larissa Behrendt - Model
Raymond Blanco - Lead dancer
Silvia Blanco - Lead dancer
Todd Carroll - Wedding child
Jamie Chen - John
Linda Cruse - Mourner
Sarah Cruse - Mourner
Mervyn Donovan - Policeman
Daniel Druce - Baby Michael
Lee Fitzgerald - Model
Larry Yapuma Gurruwiwi - Didgeridu player
Alice Haines - Production Assistant
Larry Hunter-Stewart - Victor (as Larry Hunter Stewart)
Kirsty Kiloh - Production Assistant
Francesca Lawrence - Model
Betty Little - Mother
Robert Luxford - Taxi Driver
Clifford Lyons - Mourner
David Banula Marika - Didgeridu Player
Julia Matthews - Irene
Lavinia Phillips - Wedding child
Brendon Reid - Removalist
Delores Scott - Judith
Danny Syron - Film Crew
Justin Syron - Policeman
Kenji Tanaka - Japanese Tourist Rep.
Tania Van Daatselaar - David's girl
Michael Watson - Andrew
Release dates
1992 - Australia
Rating
Distributor
AsiaPacificFilms.com
Soundtrack
Bart Willoughby
Notes

Brian Syron is recognised as being the first Australian Aboriginal director of a feature film.

Jindalee Lady was filmed in Sydney from 30 April until 24 May 1990.

Brian Syron was born on 19/11/1934 in Balmain, NSW. He was the first Indigenous Australian to work as a director in the Australian theatre industry whilst teaching and working in television productions. He died 14/10/1993.

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References

View article sources (1)

[1] 'Kicking Down The Doors - A History of Indigenous Australian Filmmaking' 1968 to 1993

Cite this page

Korff, J 2018, Jindalee Lady, <https://creativespirits.info/resources/movies/jindalee-lady>, retrieved 19 April 2024

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