There is no dialogue in the film; the story is told in its imagery. The boy and girl (siblings) in the story (Banduk and Yalumul) realise that the ice-cream van owners are smuggling native animals out of Australia, including one of the Yolngu sacred animals, the red-collared lorikeet, or lindrij. With the help of Banduk's grandfather, they manage to trap the smugglers and are given a reward.[3][2]
The sub-plot involves the children raising money to buy musical instruments for their band.[2]
Renowned Yolngu artist Banduk Marika served as Aboriginal consultant, and also played the role of Aunt in the film. Roy Marika, Banduk's uncle and renowned artist, plays the grandfather.[2]
Cinema Papers gives the film a lukewarm review,[2] but The Sydney Morning Herald (Deirdre McPherson) called the film charming in its simplicity, and Bayulma Marika "most appealing as Banduk".[3]
Footnotes
^Sometimes cited as Banula Marika, but a source for his role in Bedevil (1993) says that that was the first film role for Banula (David) Marika.[4]
References
^Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p11
^ abcMcPherson, Deirdre (27 October 1986). "Homosexual rape at lunchtime? - - No thanks - young ones". Sydney Morning Herald. Section: The Guide. p. 6. ...their totem bird - the red collared Lorikeet or Lindrij... Bayulma Marika from the Yirrkala Dhanbul Community is most appealing as Banduk.
^"Bedevil: When the unexplained happens [Press kit]"(PDF). Ronin Films. Retrieved 25 July 2021. For the role of Stompie... Moffatt turned to the Bangarra Dance Theatre in Redfern, casting Banula Marika, a member of the famous Marika family of Arnhem Land... Banula had never acted before, but he had a quality of stillness which was exactly right.
