In a new and exciting extension project of the bi-lingual, bi-cultural Milpirri performance, a small Tracks team travelled to Lajamanu to work on a music video with the students from Lajamanu School and local filmmaker Maxwell Japanangka Tasman. 

Jess Devereux, who first worked in Lajamanu in 2009, returned with current Milpirri youth choreographers Kelly Beneforti and Aaron Lim for the trip. They were joined by newbie Jordan Bretherton, who jumped straight into teaching and choreographing with the kids.

The concept for this project was to take one of the youth songs from the 2018 Milpirri performance and turn it into a music video, drawing on the narrative and thematic ideas that the song deals with. The song we chose is based on Warlpiri ceremonial values around Law and Justice that belong to the Red Group (Jakamarra, Nakamarra, Jupurrula, and Napurrula).

It tells the story of a young person in Lajamanu who steals a car and drives out of town with friends, only to break down in the bush. As night-time closes in, and the group of friends become increasingly spooked, the law pursues them until justice is done. The song resolves with balance and harmony being restored in the community.

You can find out more about the process of creating the songs for Milpirri here.

The music video is currently in the editing phase but will be revealed later this year!