Black Chicks Talking

I had the opportunity of seeing this outstanding docudrama at a local Sydney Film Festival last year. A winner, if ever there was one!

Poignant and powerful flag-waving exercise for the Aboriginal cause as Purcell follows the lives and intricacies of five indigenous women who are all leaving their mark on Australia in the new millennium.

Deborah Mailman, accomplished actress and star of many Australian movies, including THE SECRET LIFE OF US. Miss Kathryn Hay who scaled the heights to become the unlikely (but totally deserving...yummy!) 1999 Miss Australia. Tammy Williams, a 24 year old leading attorney with a major-league following. Rosanna Argus, the Warden of Broome's "traditional" community! and to round things up, the fifth - an extraordinary lady, Cilla Malone, mother of six!

Purcell's documentary, co-produced with long-time partner Bain Stewart, is a fresh revelation, a study in how to produce a successful documentary. Robert De Niro himself invited Purcell to show the film in May 2002 at his self-financed New York film festival "TriBeCa." Although not in the final award list, the film was singled out for deserved praise and was screened to full houses.

If you get the opportunity to see it, I suggest you do so!

'Black Chicks Talking' is one of the best documentaries I have seen in a LONG time. It is Leah Purcell's first entry into the world of film making and here's hoping it won't be her last!!!

Perhaps the beauty of this film, originates from the fact that Leah has made this without any inhibitions resulting from the preconcieved rules and regulations that often arise with formal training in film making.

The style is relaxed and provides information from a personal perspective. However, this information has educational merit, we have much to learn; and this is a story of Indigenous women's autonomy and control over their own voice and story!!

You get the feeling whilst watching this film, that the camera is no longer even noticed by the subjects...it is Leah they are talking to and this is a beautiful element!!!

In Australia, there is much discrimination, we like to see ourselves as the land providing fair and equal opportunities.

However, for this to become reality, we need to take responsibility for recognising our past, challenging our present and creating our future.

I encourage everyone to watch "Black Chicks Talking', it's honesty will speak louder than the silence which has permeated our history over the last 200 years.