Missy Higgins, Ernie Dingo and Jessica Mauboy met in Western Australia’s exotic pearling town of Broome on Tuesday night (8 Dec) for the Australian premiere of Bran Nue Dae an Indigenous musical comedy which was shot on location in Broome last year.
Musician Missy Higgins and Ernie Dingo entertained at a special performance in Broome’s Chinatown for the film premiere.
The stars kicked off the festivities with a special performance in the heart of Chinatown, before walking the red (dirt) carpet to the iconic Sun Pictures for the premiere.
The story of Bran Nue Dae begins and ends in Broome, the birth place of writer Jimmy Chi and where he still lives today. The local Indigenous community were instrumental in the making of the film that was directed by Rachel Perkins and produced by West Australian Robyn Kershaw.
Jessica Mauboy and fans outside Broome’s Sun Pictures
There was a mix of laughter and emotion from the audience as they watched the colourful road trip from the port city of Fremantle in Perth, along the coast to the Pilbara and Kimberley regions celebrating the adventure of finding home along the way. Young local actor and hero of the movie Rocky McKenzie was a crowd favourite.
Glen Chidlow, CEO of Australias North West Tourism, said it was exciting to see Broome on the big screen and fantastic that the whole community could come together to celebrate.
“The atmosphere at the premiere last night was electric,” he said. “It was a wonderful moment to see the stars, film makers and locals mingling together in celebration of this uplifting movie that will forever be ingrained into the cultural makeup of Broome.”
The concert stage outside Sun Pictures where the film premiered
“I think many Australians associate Broome as an exotic town with a strong multicultural history. The film captures that essence, with Broome portrayed as a coastal oasis at the end of a long journey. Bran Nue Dae will hopefully encourage many Australians to visit Broome and find out for themselves what makes the town so special.”
Bran Nue Dae will be released in Australian cinemas on January 14, 2010.
For more information about Broome as destination for your next event click here.
