Rhae-Kye Waites stars as Gem in Emu Runner, which was filmed in Brewarrina and features local north-west NSW performers.
Moree Rising Sun Film Society will present the Australian drama Emu Runner at the Moree RSL War Memorial Museum, on the corner of Albert and Balo streets. Doors open at 6pm, with the screening beginning at 6.30pm.
Written and directed by Imogen Thomas, Emu Runner was filmed in Brewarrina and stars local first-time actor Rhae-Kye Waites in the lead role.
Waites plays Gem, a nine-year-old Ngemba girl struggling with the sudden death of her mother. As her family tries to adjust to the loss, Gem finds comfort through a bond with a wild emu connected to her mother’s traditional totem.
The relationship becomes an important refuge for Gem, but her actions also bring her into conflict with an inexperienced social worker who begins questioning the care she receives from her family.
The film explores grief, family, culture and identity, while also examining assumptions made about Aboriginal families by people outside their communities.
Brewarrina residents were involved throughout the production, appearing on screen and working behind the scenes. The film’s setting, local performers and use of the surrounding landscape give it a strong connection to north-west NSW.
Alongside Waites, the cast includes Wayne Blair and Rob Carlton. Waites had not acted professionally before taking on the role of Gem, making her performance one of the film’s strongest links to the community where it was created.
The Moree screening gives local audiences an opportunity to see a regional Australian story made within a few hours of home, rather than a film using the area only as an unnamed backdrop.
The film runs for one hour and 35 minutes and is classified M.
Light refreshments will be available after the screening, followed by an opportunity for audience members to discuss the film.
Emu Runner screens at the Moree RSL War Memorial Museum on Sunday, July 19. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.
