Utopia
UTOPIA is an epic production by the Emmy and Bafta winning film-maker and journalist John Pilger.
Utopia is a vast region in northern Australia and home to the oldest human presence on earth. ‘This film is a journey into that secret country,’ says John Pilger, ‘It will describe not only the uniqueness of the first Australians, but their trail of tears and betrayal and resistance – from one utopia to another’. Pilger begins his journey in Sydney, where he grew up, and in Canberra, the nation’s capital, where the national parliament rises in an affluent suburb called Barton, recently awarded the title of Australia’s most advantaged community.
A global campaign illuminated apartheid in South Africa. No such opprobrium has been directed at Australia, where black Australians are imprisoned at up to eight times the rate of blacks in apartheid South Africa. Instead, Australia’s post card image is that of the ‘lucky country’; and indeed few societies are as wealthy, if you leave out the original inhabitants is that of a third world country. In the town of Wilcannia, New South Wales, the average life expectancy of men is 37. This is the secret of apartheid Australia.
UTOPIA is both a personal journey and universal story of power and resistance and how modern societies can be divided between those who conform and a dystopian world of those who do not.
Online Viewing
Utopia is now available to watch online at
beamafilm
Published Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
I cried like I had lost a family member on three occasions watching this film – a must-see for all Australians. read more
– Adam Goodes, 2014 Australian of the Year
Pilger’s film argues that the history of abuse and bullying, so far from being a closed chapter, is merely a prelude: it is set to get worse. This is a grim and powerful film.
– Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Utopia listed 5th in The London Film Review’s Top 25 Films of 2013
Do yourselves a favour and let Pilger take you on this journey of education, discovery and exposure into a world that Australia is trying to hide… Utopia takes you on a journey that will sadden, anger and frustrate you; a journey that addresses one of the biggest violations or human rights today.
– Priyanka Mogul, The London Film Review
Provocative documentary from John Pilger about the treatment of Australia’s aboriginal people. There’s much that’s truly shocking in John Pilger’s ironically-titled documentary about the plight of Australia’s aboriginal or ‘First People’ population. Pilger made Utopia to make Australians sit up and listen. It’s no-nonsense, provocative, powerful and sickening stuff.
– Miles Fielder, The List
Current Listed Screenings:
HOST A SCREENING
We believe films present critical issues, challenge audiences and raise important questions. We invite you to bring these conversations to your community by hosting an inspiring screening of your own!
By purchasing a community-screening license, you can host a free/donation-based admission, or ticketed public screening of the film. Community screenings can take place at fundraising events, group gatherings, and ongoing series for nonprofits, theatres, farms, churches, community organisations and more.
Included in your screening fee
High quality brand new DVD disk of the film, which you keep.
• Screening Guide
• Where possible a Film Specific Discussion Guide
• Screening License
• Promotional Artwork (.pdf files for print)
• Keep the DVD
• Your screening promoted on our website, under the film listing.
• Our email and phone support through the whole process!
Screening Costs
Community Screening
1-50 people – $150
50-100 people – $250
100-200 people – $350
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