Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) (Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black))

Matthew Thorne, Derik Lynch

Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) follows Yankunytjatjara man Derik Lynch's road trip back to Country for spiritual healing, as memories from his childhood return. It shows his journey from the oppression of white city life in Adelaide, back home to his remote Anangu Community (Aputula) to perform on sacred Inma ground. In the film, his
Community re-enact memories using the visual, verbal, and physical elements. Exploratory and playful in its form, the film tests the line of fact and fiction, and in turn unearths something that sits at the root of the human experience. It allows for a powerful contemplation of culture, Country, identity and belonging.

Australia 2023, '24

DIRECTOR: Matthew Thorne, Derik Lynch

SCENARIO: Matthew Thorne, Derik Lynch

CAMERA: Andrew Gough

MONTAGE: Nicola Powell

MUSIC: Jed Silver

PRODUCERS: Matthew Thorne, Patrick Graham

PRODUCTION: Other Pictures, Switch Productions

FESTIVALS & AWARDS:

Berlinale: Silver Bear, Teddy Award (2023)
Sydney FF: Documentary Australia Award (2023)
Melbourne IFF: Best Short Documentary (2023)
Montenegro FF: Best Documentary (2023)
Heart of Gold ISFF: Best Australian Short (2023)
MIX Copenhagen: Best Short (2023)
Queer Lisboa: Jury Special Mention (2023)
IDFA (2023)
DOC NYC (2023)

Matthew Thorne

Matthew Thorne (b. 1993) is a South Australian filmmaker and artist whose work uses film, photography, and re-enactment to explore contemporary 'Australian' identity, spirituality, relationship to land, and masculinity. His recent docufiction short film, Marungka Tjalatjunu (2023), made with Yankunytjatjara man Derik Lynch, won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at Berlinale and Documentary Australia Award at the Sydney Film Festival. Matthew also contributed photography to Nick Cave and The Badseed's album Ghosteen (2019), Justin Kurzel's True History of the Kelly Gang (2019), and Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant. Matthew currently lives between Athens, Greece and Adelaide, Australia.

Derik Lynch

Derik Lynch (b. 1986) is an initiated Yankunytjatjara man. He is a performer, filmmaker, and artist who grew up between Alice Springs and remote Communities in the Northern Territory and South Australia. He has worked both nationally and internationally in theatre, film and TV including performances at the Sydney Opera House (AUS) and Southbank Theatre (UK), during which he was invited for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II. Marungka tjalatjunu is Derik’s debut film as writer/director, telling part of his own story. Derik currently lives between remote community and Adelaide, and works as an artist, educator and health practitioner.

Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) (Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black))

Matthew Thorne, Derik Lynch

Matthew Thorne

Derik Lynch

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