20 Apr 2016

Nicole Ma on Putuparri and the Rainmakers

From Upbeat, 1:00 pm on 20 April 2016

Tom 'Putuparri' Lawford's people have lived in the desert of Western Australia for over 40,000 years – a new film captures 20 transformative years in his own life.

Putuparri and the Rainmakers:  Dolly Snell, Japeth Rangi, Spider Snell ,Tom Putuparri Lawford, Nicole Ma.

Nicole Ma (far right) with Dolly Snell, Japeth Rangi, Spider Snell and Tom 'Putuparri' Lawford Photo: Supplied

"[Aboriginal people] haven't had a chance to be honoured by Australia. They're still not part of our Constitution as First People. They're – believe it or not – still considered flora and fauna [in the wording of the Constitution]" - Filmmaker Nicole Ma.

Nicole Ma has worked on music videos for artists like Whitney Houston and Sonic Youth and landmark films such as Malcolm X by Spike Lee. She has also made films for the National Museum of Australia.