Young Bendigonians from culturally diverse backgrounds are counting on film to shed light on their home country’s customs and traditions.
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Fifteen students have already signed on to a 12-week movie-making course, a partnership between Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
The film-making classes are funded by a Victorian government social cohesion grant awarded to LCMS last year.
“People are talking about food, and even colourful outfits and how they dress, dance,” LCMS employee Rose Vincent said when asked about the budding directors’ subject matter.
“They all have a story they're looking to tell.”
Ms Vincent said film was a medium with the power to transform people’s minds.
“It seems to bring cultural diversity into our living rooms and our experiences,” she said, using the success of Indian-set film Lion as an example.
“It appeals to us through different senses, and it can engage our feelings.”
The finished films will then be used peer-led seminars teaching year 7 students about different culture.
People from culturally diverse backgrounds were less visible in Bendigo, Ms Vincent said, so greater effort was needed to uncover their stories.
Bendigo filmmaker Jamie Roberts will offer students expert advice, while Melbourne directors will also lend a hand.
The 12-week course runs on Thursday afternoons at BSSC from Thursday.
Culturally-diverse young people aged 15 – 25 interested in taking part should phone LCMS on 5441 6644.
Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
