Wirriya: Small Boy - School

An interesting moment in the film where the immediate world of Ricco is suddenly broken open, and the audience is introduced to the concept that the remote world of Ricco is not perceived as being conceptually limited by Ricco himself, who tells us he is going to go to Mexico.

Wirriya: Small Boy synopsis

An observational documentary about Ricco Japaljarri Martin, an eight-year-old boy who lives in Hidden Valley with his foster mother.

Wirriya, Small Boy is part of the Nganampa Anwernekenhe series produced by Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Productions. Nganampa Anwernekenhe means 'ours’ in the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte lanuages, and the series aims to contribute to the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.

Wirriya: Small Boy curator's notes

A sensitive documentary that is narrated predominantly by Ricco himself, and is an example of a respectful treatment of the Indigenous subject. Beck Cole is a respected Indigenous filmmaker, and her experience allows for a poignant invitation into Ricco’s world, his childish perspective kept intact by Cole’s skilful handling of the story. We are present to Ricco’s emergent conceptual world, where the perceived geographical remoteness of his homeland is pushed up alongside the larger world; one where travel to distant places and foreign lands is all part of Ricco’s everyday life and experience.

Beck Cole puts a face to what would otherwise be an unknown statistic of an Aboriginal foster child. Instead, we are privileged to learn of Ricco’s dreams and aspirations, and a child who at this moment, still looks towards a future. Beck Cole’s other productions include Plains Empty (2004) and Flat (2002).

Notes by Romaine Moreton

Education Notes

This clip shows 7-year-old Ricco Japaljarri Martin and his classmates at an Indigenous Australian community school near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Ricco and his classmates are shown singing a song together and Ricco says that he 'loves to learn’. Ricco is shown with a book learning about Mexico and Nigeria. He asserts that he is going to Mexico and in a later sequence stands in front of a world map and identifies Mexico. In Warlpiri language class, Ricco introduces his Warlpiri teacher and clarifies that his skin name is Japaljarri. The clip includes English subtitles.

Educational value points

• This clip is from the observational documentary Wirriya: Small Boy, which explores an ordinary day in the life of Ricco Japaljarri Martin. Released in 2004, the film was produced, written and directed by Indigenous Australian filmmaker Beck Cole. It was shot over a 2-month period on a mini-DV camera at Hidden Valley (also known as Ewyenper-Atwatye), a small Indigenous community on the outskirts of Alice Springs in central Australia. Ricco provides most of the narration, and the film is a warm and intimate account of his family and aspirations.

• An Indigenous Australian language and culture program in a community school is featured. Ricco is learning the Warlpiri language, spoken in Alice Springs and areas north-west of Alice Springs. Whether they speak Aboriginal English, Aboriginal Creole or 'Kriol’ (language spoken to facilitate communication between two or more language groups), or an Indigenous Australian language, language is an integral part of Indigenous Australian people’s cultural identity.

• The clip alludes to some of the chronic health issues that persist in Indigenous Australian communities. On arrival at school, Ricco and his classmates are made to blow their noses and are shown doing an exercise program. Health statistics show that Indigenous Australian children across Australia suffer illnesses such as ear infections and upper respiratory tract conditions in greater numbers than non-Indigenous Australian children.

• Mention is made of Ricco’s 'skin’ name. On his way to language class, Ricco clarifies that his skin name is 'Japaljarri’. The kinship system is a feature of Indigenous Australian social organisation and family relationships across central Australia and is a complex system that determines how people relate to each other and their roles, responsibilities and obligations in relation to one another, ceremonial business and land. The 'skin system’ is a method of further subdividing society within a kinship group. Skin names for boys in the Warlpiri language always start with the letter 'J’.

• Wirriya: Small Boy is the work of Beck Cole, a respected Indigenous Australian filmmaker. Beck Cole is a writer, producer and director, and a graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Her debut drama, Flat, screened at the Sundance and Edinburgh Film festivals in 2004. In Wirriya: Small Boy Cole skilfully and sensitively portrays a day in Ricco’s life and presents the audience with a unique view of an isolated Indigenous Australian community through the eyes of a child. Ricco is clearly comfortable sharing his thoughts about life. Beck Cole worked closely with the community and gained rare access to the town in this respectful construction of Ricco’s story.

• This is an example of an 'observational documentary’ style of filmmaking. The effect of the observational approach is that the documentary maker’s point of view is not paramount in the film. Rather than listen to a narrator telling Ricco’s story, viewers listen to Ricco and members of his community telling their own stories against the backdrop of their everyday lives.

Education notes provided by The Learning Federation and Education Services Australia