All That Flows Through, and Around Us
The film River was screened in our 2022 program. Narrated by Willem Dafoe, and scored by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, it explores the bodies of water that flow across the land masses of our planet with breath-taking imagery and poetry.
Before our screening of River, we were honoured by an immersive and powerful musical performance by Yorta-Yorta storyteller Allara, supported by our very own Program Director, Ayesha Mehta. The performance grounded us in meaning and space, reminding us the importance of waterways through the melodic play between language and sound.
This multi-arts event was closely tied to grassroots organisation, The Yarra Riverkeeper Association, opening with a speech from Riverkeeper Charlotte Sterrett. Charlotte’s presentation framed the event around an impassioned call-to-action to protect our local Birrarung (Yarra River), highlighting how communities, governments and businesses must work together to develop solutions that ensure the health of the Birrarung for future generations.
Help protect the future of our river system through the following actions:
The Yarra Riverkeeper Association is a grassroots organisation with a vision for a healthy and protected Yarra River. We take action to increase public knowledge about the impact of human activity on our river, we empower communities to protect their local environment, and we work with government and business to implement strategies that enhance the health of the river. > Learn more
Allara
Allara is a powerful Yorta Yorta winyarr. She is a storyteller, composer, director, producer, musician and soundscape designer. With humour and integrity, Allara uses the double-bass and sound samples from Country to weave textures for healing in her work “I am Sovereign, I am Free”. Allara's innovative music speaks to Blak justice and sovereignty. > Learn more
Ayesha Mehta
Ayesha Mehta is a vocalist, shadow puppeteer, writer, educator and visual artist. A community arts innovator, she is committed to radical visibility and storytelling through dynamic and uninhibited original music, art, words and filmmaking. Ayesha is the co-founder of GRID Series, an artist development program for outer suburban musicians around Australia; and co-founder of Taipei’s iconic community arts platform, Red Room.
