D’Yaara Bou Melhem

Yurlu | Country

SOLASTALGIA

A vivid ode to Country and an intimate portrait of an Aboriginal elder’s final year as he strives to preserve his culture and heal his homeland, scarred by the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere. Banjima Country lies within the remote red gorges of Western Australia’s Pilbara, scarred by the Wittenoom asbestos mines which dumped millions of tons of lethal asbestos tailings. The late Banjima Elder, Maitland Parker, called his Yurlu (country) « Poison Country » – a haunting truth he carried in his body, as he too fell victim to its toxic legacy. Diagnosed with mesothelioma, Maitland’s health declines rapidly, but his resolve grows stronger. As his family of great-grandchildren grows, so does his determination to complete his unfinished work.

Section : Impact Days

Pays : Australie

Langue originale : anglais

Réalisation

Yaara Bou Melhem (Australie / Australie)

Production

Yaara Bou Melhem (Australie / Australie)
Illuminate Films

Durée

78'’

Statut de production

Post-production

Finalisé en

Mars 2025

Impact Statement

Cleanup of Australia’s own Chernobyl-like disaster—Wittenoom, the largest asbestos-contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 3 million tons of toxic tailings poison Banjima Country, violating Native Title land rights and contravening Article 29 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Elder Maitland Parker spent his life fighting for a cleanup. This film exposes the ongoing disaster and makes a compelling and emotive case for restoring ecological restoration, and in turn, our health. Why Now? - The 2025 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights theme is the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - an opportunity to use this film as a convening tool. - 2026 marks 60 years of inaction. – make this decade count by cleaning up Wittenoom.

Impact Goals

Bolster Banjima ‘Clean Up Wittenoom’ campaign: Leverage film, media, advocacy to pressure policymakers and global bodies to support remediation.
Bridge cultural connection: Support Aboriginal communities in reclaiming land, restoring cultural ties and advocating for long-term justice for future generations.
Advance asbestos research: Fund digitization of 40 years of medical data on Wittenoom to drive national and global research and treatment.
Drive mining systems change: Push for systemic reforms in mining and a “just energy transition” prioritizing human rights.

Impact Strategy

UN and NGO advocacy – Present at global forums (UNPFII, UNEMRIP, UNEP) to push for action.
Film festivals – Elevate Wittenoom’s visibility, activating local-to-global pressure.
Leveraging media/PR – Amplify coverage to highlight Wittenoom’s urgency.
Solidarity actions – Virtual events uniting global communities for cleanup advocacy.
Petition campaign – Digital mobilization to amplify visibility and action.
Parliamentary screenings – Target key policymakers.
Legal advocacy – Support Banjima’s legal fight for justice.
Roadshow and education – Engage affected communities and inspire national action.
Immediate audience action – Postcard campaigns to pressure ministers.
Corporate and investor pressure – Urge ESG stakeholders to back the cleanup.

Contact

Contact principal

Yaara Bou Melhem (Australie): yaara@illuminate-films.com.au

Existing Partners

Film funders
Screen Australia
Martidja Banjima
Screen NSW
Judith Neilson Institute

Distributors
(AUS) Bonsai Films

NGOs & International Organisations
Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia

Foundations & Philanthropists
Shark Island Foundation

Experts & Academics
Corinne Unger (Mine Rehabilitation Expert AU)
Hon Robin Chapple (Former Western Australian parliamentarian)
Hon John Gordon (Barrister of Wittenoom-cases fame)

Advocates
Traditional owners of the Banjima community
Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

Press & Media/Impact
Unquiet Collective Impact Distribution Lab selectee
Documentary Australia – Environmental Accelerator Program selectee

Envisaged Partners