| Namatjira the Painter | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lee Robinson |
| Produced by | Ralph Foster |
| Cinematography | Axel Poignant |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 22 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £3,000 [1] |
Namatjira the Painter is a 1947 documentary about the artist, Albert Namatjira. It deals with his background, his relationship with Rex Battarbee and how he learned to paint. [2]
The film was among the first productions of the Australian National Film Board, later known as Film Australia. Ralph Foster served as the Board’s first appointed Film. [3]
Lee Robinson joined the Board after leaving the army and wrote a treatment for the documentary in January 1946. As no one else had directing experience, he was given the role. [4] Robinson received basic advice on directing from Harry Watt, then in Australia shooting The Overlanders . [5]
Filming took around five months in mid 1946 in the Northern Territory, finishing in August, and was edited in Ralph Foster's flat. [6] The movie was completed after Stanley Hawes became head of the film board.
The film was widely screened in cinemas as a support feature. [7] It was re-released in 1974 with new narration.
Namatjira later had a cameo as himself in Robinson's first film as director, The Phantom Stockman. [8]
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