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Lee Point Darwin Shorebird Dance Spoken Word Nadine Lee

Across continents and seas the shorebirds have been using Lee Point, an iconic coastal conservation reserve Darwin beach for migratory shorebirds from Russia, including the threatened species Great Knot and Eastern Curlew, for many thousands of years if not longer. Picturesque shorebird activity frames the backdrop of this graceful Lee Point shorebird dance to heart-felt spoken words of Larrakia woman Nadine Lee. Performed by Darwin born mother Maria Grujicic and her three year old daughter. A Hidden Beauty of Darwin production filmed by Justine Glover highlights a display of strength and passion for a place belonging to the Larrakia people, preserving it for future generations.

As we welcome the arrival of the shorebirds from around the world we hope that on their migration flight next year in March they will return again. Because of the shorebirds, Lee Point is designated as a site of world significance.

  • Maria Evangelistria Grujicic
    Director
  • Maria Evangelistria Grujicic
    Writer
    Choreography, dance, film editing
  • Nadine Lee
    Writer
    Spoken word
  • Maria Evangelistria Grujicic
    Producer
  • Maria Evangelistria Grujicic
    Key Cast
  • Anastasia Grujicic
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Music Video, Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 12, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Maria Evangelistria Grujicic

Greek Australian Maria Grujicic was born and bred in Darwin. A nature lover and an artist at heart she romanced her way around the world creating dance experiences and writing poetry as she lived and worked as an early childhood teacher abroad. Maria Grujicic self-published several poetry books inspired by life, love and travel. She developed an interest in film making whilst exploring the bushblock neighbouring her house in Ludmilla. She published The Hidden Beauty of Darwin book, illustrating the unique native flora and fauna. She aspires to one day create a children's musical based on one of her picture books.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I first became interested in film making whilst taking footage of never seen before unique flora and fauna on our neighbouring bushblock in Ludmilla. I pursued my interest and realised that there's a lot to be learnt with the camera as a powerful tool. Nadine Lee's emotive spoken word has somewhat become one with me as I pursue to express the tone and message of her words. During the filming of Lee Point my movement resounds with the tide, wind and sand. Shorebirds rest and fly about, accentuating the beauty of Lee Point Coastal Reserve Darwin Beach and commemorating the arrival of the shorebirds. Nadine Lee's indigenous cultural story completes the display of strength, character and elegance to symbolise protection of a resting place so important for the quest of these shorebirds that have travelled so far. Lee Point is designated as a site of world significance because of the shorebirds. My hope is that my film aspires people to learn more about shorebirds and their own precious and unique piece of paradise.