Donate
What's On
View full program

Yurlu | Country

Directed by Yaara Bou Melhem
Australia
2025
79 mins
Unclassified 15+
A panoramic yet intimate portrait of Aboriginal Elder Maitland Parker and his fight to heal his mining-impacted homeland and preserve his culture for future generations.

The breathtaking red landscape of Wittenoom in WA’s Pilbara region is scarred by millions of tons of toxic waste from asbestos mines that once operated there. With an exclusion zone of nearly 47,000 hectares, it’s the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also the ancestral country, or Yurlu, of Banjima Elder Parker. Director Yaara Bou Melhem (Unseen Skies, SFF 2021) documents Parker’s environmental and cultural activism, right up until his death in 2024 from mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. From the campfire to his hospital bedside, Yurlu | Country follows Maitland’s battle for justice and the environment, and his unbreakable bond with Country.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

Tickets

Sat 7 June 2025, 3:40pm
Past Event
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 3
Event George St - Cinema 3
WheelchairAssisted Listening
Mon 9 June 2025, 6:15pm
Past Event
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 2
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 2
WheelchairAssisted Listening
See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking, or see our Access & Inclusion page for more information.

Presented By
Documentary Australia
  • Program Strand
    Documentary Australia Award
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    Australia
  • Language
    In English and Banjima with English subtitles
  • Director
    Yaara Bou Melhem
  • Producer
    Yaara Bou Melhem
  • Screenwriter
    Yaara Bou Melhem, Maitland Parker
  • Cinematographer
    Tom Bannigan
  • Editor
    Francisco Forbes
  • Genre
    Documentary, Women Directors, Australian, First Nations, Environment, World Premieres
  • Premiere
    World Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Bonsai Films
  • Official Website
    Visit
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Don’t miss a thing!

Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

SFF
  • Submissions
  • Festival Hub
  • Tickets
  • Films & Events
About
  • Contact Us
  • Our Organisation
  • Jobs
  • Media Releases
Support
  • Individual Support
  • Partnerships
General Enquiries
  • 02 8220 6600
  • info@sff.org.au
Ticketing Enquiries
  • 1300 733 733
  • tickets@sff.org.au
Office Hours

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9AM – 5PM AEDT

Discover
  • The Living Archive
  • Travelling Film Festival
Follow
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Letterboxd
In Partnership With:
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Website by ED.

Don't miss a thing!

Whether you're in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

Search films, venues, guests...
Explore
Browse All Films A-ZTickets and FlexipassesView Calendar
Suggested Searches
What's playing at the State Theatre?Official CompetitionWhat's on at the Hub?
Search films, venues, guests...
Explore
Browse All Films A-ZTickets and FlexipassesView Calendar
Suggested Searches
What's playing at the State Theatre?Official CompetitionWhat's on at the Hub?