Namatjira the Painter | |
---|---|
Directed by | Lee Robinson |
Produced by | Ralph Foster |
Cinematography | Axel Poignant |
Production company | |
Release date | 1947 |
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 one of the first productions of the Australian National Film Board (later known as Film Australia). Ralph Foster was the first Film Commissioner appointed to the Board. [3]
Lee Robinson had joined the Board out of the army and wrote a treatment for the documentary in January 1946. Because no one else was experienced as a director, he was given the job. [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.