River Connections is an immersive film installation that submerges viewers in First Peoples’ perspectives of Country.
The project was made in collaboration with Museums Victoria and First Peoples Elders and artists Larry Walsh, Esther Kirby, Brendan Kennedy and Consultant Curator, Genevieve Grieves. It serves as part of Melbourne Museum's new innovative Learning Lab for school-age students, who experience the film and discuss its themes as part of programmed workshops. Each scene, image and sound, as well as the overall structure, was developed through deep listening sessions and visiting Country.
The Murray River is a controversial site of ecological, cultural and economic importance, and it is through this subject matter that the film explores ideas of sustainability. A central theme of the film is the connection of all things - a concept that Larry, Esther, Brendan and Genevieve regularly brought to the surface. This motif is visualised with flowing lines that depict ever-changing subjects morphing from one form into another.
