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Deep Dive: Dipped in Black (2023)

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Dipped in Black
Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) is a 2022 Australian docu-fiction film that features the life of Derik Lynch, a queer Yankunytjatjara theatre artist. The film is voiced entirely in Yankunytjatjara, the first language of Lynch, and centers on his return to Aputula in the Northern Territory to perform an inma, a traditional Aboriginal dance. This unique approach emphasizes the cultural significance of the performance and Lynch's connection to his heritage. Co-written and co-directed by Matthew Thorne and Lynch, the film was produced by Patrick Graham and Thorne. It received funding from the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and the South Australian Film Corporation. The film had its world premiere at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival and was screened at numerous international film festivals, showcasing its broad appeal and recognition in the film community.

Why Watch

  • •See Derik Lynch perform traditional inma in Aputula.
  • •Meet the first film to win both Silver Bear and Teddy Award.
  • •Find out about LGBTQ themes in Aboriginal storytelling.

Did You Know

•The film won the Silver Bear and Teddy Award at the Berlinale in 2023.
•It was the first film to win both the Silver Bear and Teddy Award.
•Marungka Tjalatjunu won the Documentary Australia Award at the 2023 Sydney Film Festival.
•The film was officially selected for over 40 international film festivals.

Perfect For

Queer cinema enthusiastsAboriginal cultural studiesShort film fans