Dive Deeper: Crown and Country

A Cultural Turning Point

Today, many NT communities are facing a profound shift, with the passing of elders and diminishing ceremonial knowledge, marking a critical juncture in cultural continuity. Born in the 1930’s (it’s unknown exactly when), Jerry belongs to one of the last generations born in the desert with no contact with the outside world. As time passes and elders like him grow fewer, the urgency to preserve and pass on their stories has never been greater.

Making it Happen, Desert-Style

Crown and Country didn’t start as a major production; It began as a conversation. After years of community-led work through the Milpirri Festival in collaboration with Tracks Dance, Crown and Country carries that legacy forward. But this time, it speaks not just for the community, it speaks from it, reaching out to the wider nation. Wanta had long spoken about sharing this songline, but then came COVID, health struggles, and the relentless march of time. Still, with a few small grants, passionate volunteers, and years of collaboration, including with Monkey Marc, who’s worked in Warlpiri Country for over 15 years, the vision grew.

Legacy and a Shared Future

At its heart, Crown and Country is about legacy. For Wanta, it’s an invitation to reimagine what Australia could become, if we truly listened. Not to offer answers, but to open space for possibility. Jerry, still active in ranger programs and community life, offers a rare insight into Warlpiri philosophy: a way of knowing grounded in Country, care, and connection. As Wanta says, “The more someone understands Warlpiri culture, the more Australian they become.” This film is a gentle provocation, a question, a doorway, and a step toward a shared future that can nourish us all.

Crown and Country – Book Now
Sat 9 & Sun 10 Aug
Brown’s Mart Theatre

Written for Darwin Festival by Alyson Evans