Where are our Aboriginal actors? - Indigenous cast removed from international movie posters

Aboriginal stories may be told overseas, but the people telling them are hidden.

Rabbit Proof Fence Australian and International movie poster

Rabbit Proof Fence for Australian (Left) and US (Right) audiences. Source: Cinematerial

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives are responsible for some of Australia's best cinema.

Actors like Deborah Mailman, Jamie Gulpilil and Mark Coles Smith not only bring their unique talents to the screen, but improve diversity in character roles and tropes - one that cannot be found in films abroad. So why are international film industries culling them from the movie's promotional material?

While Australian film posters will often put Indigenous actors at the forefront of the image, in many cases, their international counterparts are covering their faces, placing them in the background or removing them all together.

Samson & Delilah - AUS vs. US

As well as photoshopping the rugged scenery of country with something more green, the faces of the two protagonists (Rowan McNamara and Marissa Gibbon) are also modified. Or else, McNamara and Gibbon are undefined.
Samson and Delilah Movie Posters
(L-R) Australian poster; US poster, US DVD Cover Source: Cinematerial

The Last Cab to Darwin - AUS vs. KOR

Spoiler Alert: Despite what Korean cinema might have you think, leading character, Rex (Michael Caton) didn't actual journey the entire way to from Broken Hill to Darwin alone. He had the company of supporting character, Tilly (Mark Coles Smith) through the entire film.
Last Cab From Darwin Movie Poster
(L-R) Australian poster; Korean DVD cover Source: Cinematerial
Ten Canoes - AUS vs. UK & GER

While Jamie Gulpilil takes centre stage in his role as Dayindi in Australia, for international audiences, he's demoted in the backdrop of a lake scene.
10 Canoes movie poster
(L-R) Australian poster; UK poster, German poster Source: Cinematerial

Rabbit Proof Fence - AUS vs. UK & US

First you see leading cast, Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan - and now you don't.
Rabbit Proof Fence Australian movie poster
Australian movie poster, Rabbit Proof Fence Source: Cinematerial
Rabbit Proof Fence International Movie Poster
(L-R) UK poster, US poster Source: Cinematerial

Bran Nue Dae - AUS vs. International

While most of the film's promotion - Australia included - used the 'international' poster, the marketing material had many variations.
Bran Nue Dae Film Posters
(L-R) Australian poster, Australian poster; International poster Source: Cinematerial

The Sapphires - AUS vs. US

What's the best way to promote a incredible biography of four Aboriginal woman? With one white dude, of course.
The Sapphires international movie poster
(L-R) Australian poster; US poster Source: Cinematerial

Walkabout - AUS vs. UK & JAP

Lots of material has been made for this 1970s film over the years, with variations of film posters, VHS and DVD covers. Most of it includes David Gupilil, who is a central character - except in Japan's case.
Walkabout international movie posters
(L-R) Australian poster; US poster, Japan poster Source: Cinematerial

Jedda - AUS vs. UK & DEN

UK's copywriting sounding more like a sentence from your racist white Grandad...
Jedda international movie posters
(L-R) Australian poster; UK poster, Danish poster (byline translates as 'The magnificant primitive wild') Source: Cinematerial

Australia - AUS vs. US...

A simple colour change,
Australia international movie posters
(L-R) Australian poster; US poster Source: Cinematerial

... FRA, CZE & JAP

and David Gupilil is going, going, gone.
Australia international movie posters
(L-R) French poster, Czech DVD cover, Japan poster Source: Cinematerial

Australian and world-Indigenous films are available On Demand including, Jedda

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By Sophie Verass


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Where are our Aboriginal actors? - Indigenous cast removed from international movie posters | SBS NITV