Projects Supported
Yurlu | Country
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 worst contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere.
Directed and Produced by Yaara Bou Melhem
Co-Produced by Tom Bannigan & James Saunders
Written by Maitland Parker
DEVELOPMENT GRANT &
PRODUCTION GRANT
SYNOPSIS
Banjima Elder, Maitland Parker, calls his Yurlu (homelands) “Poison Country” — a haunting, toxic truth etched into his body. Set against the breathtaking yet contaminated landscapes of Western Australia’s Pilbara region, YURLU | COUNTRY lays bare the devastating impact of the Wittenoom asbestos mines, where millions of tonnes of waste laced with deadly asbestos fibres have poisoned both land and people. It’s Australia’s largely unknown Chernobyl-scale disaster and it’s on Banjima lands.
As Maitland battles mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, his resolve to fight for his homeland and future generations only strengthens. Through striking cinematography and deeply personal storytelling, the film stands as a testament to the resilience of Banjima and their unbreakable bond with Country. Maitland and his family’s fight for justice, cultural survival, and environmental restoration will inspire, enrage, and catalyse.
Photos: Tom Bannigan
Poster (tap to enlarge)