Thinking about Grain of the Voice

Abstract

There are many strands in our filmmaking practice, which now spans 50 years [ed. and over 80 films]. Quite early we became interested in the Australian landscape as our subject and inspiration.

In 1973 we became aware (thanks to the film/ video maker Joseph El Khourey) of the 1901 film documentation of Arunta ceremonies by Walter Baldwin Spencer, and of his writing in The Native Tribes of Central Australia.1 Intrigued with Baldwin Spencer’s writing on the Arunta people, his photographs and film work, we set off to visit Uluru, Katatjuta, Unthurqua, and to travel along the Mac- Donnell Ranges. We under- took a constant filming practice, and recording of ambient sound.2