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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

New rom-com brings Arnhem Land love story to Sydney Film Festival screen

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A new short film, "Maŋutji (Catching Eyes)," written and directed by Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs, premieres at the Sydney Film Festival.
  • The romantic comedy, told in Yolŋu-Matha, explores love and public perception through the story of two football players in Arnhem Land.
  • The film is part of a collection of First Nations short films and is nominated for SFF awards.

A new romantic comedy, "Maŋutji (Catching Eyes)," is set to captivate audiences at the Sydney Film Festival, bringing a unique love story from Arnhem Land to the big screen. Written and directed by Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs, the film explores the nuances of love, commitment, and public perception within the Yolŋu kinship system.

If the community knows that you are allowed to date someone through Gurrutu [Yolŋu kinship] … and you are perceived in public together, that confirms that you are a thing.

— Siena Mayutu Wurmarri StubbsExplaining the cultural context of relationships and public perception in her community.

Set in Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, the film centers on the budding romance between two football players. Stubbs explains that in her community, "If the community knows that you are allowed to date someone through Gurrutu [Yolŋu kinship] … and you are perceived in public together, that confirms that you are a thing." The film delves into the idea of "being perceived, who you want to commit your true self to, knowing when you can and being brave enough to release yourself to that form of love in the public eye."

The title, "Maŋutji," carries multiple meanings in Yolŋu-Matha, relating to a glance and a love interest. Stubbs clarifies that "maŋutji is also a code word, or slang, for your crush," even demonstrating a sign language gesture for a lover by pointing to her eye.

It's about being perceived, who you want to commit your true self to, knowing when you can and being brave enough to release yourself to that form of love in the public eye.

— Siena Mayutu Wurmarri StubbsDescribing the central theme of the film 'Maŋutji'.

"Maŋutji" stars Cindy Rostron, a model and performer who learned Yolŋu-Matha for the role, and Denzel Marika, a local football star making his acting debut. The film includes a subtle nod to Baz Luhrmann's iconic "Romeo + Juliet," specifically referencing the memorable fish tank scene.

Maŋutji can literally mean 'eye' … but maŋutji is also a code word, or slang, for your crush.

— Siena Mayutu Wurmarri StubbsExplaining the meaning of the film's title in Yolŋu-Matha.

This short film is one of five from First Nations filmmakers being showcased at the Sydney Film Festival as part of the "Proper Loved Up" collection. Funded by Screen Australia, NITV, the ABC, and various government bodies, these films represent diverse First Nations stories about love. "Maŋutji" is also competing for the Sydney Film Festival's best live action short and best First Nations film awards.

She learned Yolŋu-Matha in like three days to do this role.

— Libby CollinsPraising the dedication of lead actress Cindy Rostron.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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