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Gurrumul to screen Oct. 14 in Sechelt

Sunshine Coast Arts Council
Gurrumul
Sunshine Coast Arts Council presents the film Gurrumul, Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Arts Centre in Sechelt, part of the Art and the Documentary Sunday Film Series.

The Sunshine Coast Arts Council presents Gurrumul, Sunday, Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. The film is part of the Arts Council’s Art and the Documentary Sunday Film Series. 

Gurrumul is a portrait of the blind Indigenous artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, one of Australia’s most celebrated and important voices. Rolling Stone magazine referred to Gurrumul as “Australia’s most important voice.” Sting described his voice as that “of a higher being.”

Gurrumul found purpose and meaning through songs and music inspired by his community and country on the remote Echo Island. Singing in his native Yolngu language, he sold over half a million copies of his albums around the world, all the while continuing to call Echo Island his home. 

Gurrumul was also a social activist and the force behind the G. Yunupingu Foundation, creating opportunities for young people across the Northern Territory. 

The film Gurrumul was approved by its namesake three days before his death. It remains unchanged since that time. In Yolngu lore the name, image and voice of the recently departed is retired from public use. A rare exception has been made by Gurmatj and Galpu clan leaders for this film. 

Guest speaker Michael Friedman, Sunshine Coast singer, guitarist and songwriter, will lead a discussion following the screening of the film. 

The Sunshine Coast Credit Union, the proud sponsor of the 2018/19 Art and the Documentary Sunday Film Series, will begin the Gurrumul screening with a greeting from the Credit Union and an official cheque presentation in the amount of $4,800. 

Audiences are offered free coffee and muffins courtesy of donor Strait Coffee. Admission is a suggested donation of $10. The Sunshine Coast Arts Centre is located at the corner of Trail and Medusa in Sechelt. For further information, see www.sunshinecoastartscouncil.com.

– Submitted