2024
Aquarius
Aquarius is a captivating documentary by Wendy Champagne, delving into the 1973 Nimbin Aquarius Festival. Through rare archival footage and compelling interviews, it showcases how this extraordinary event transformed a community and sparked enduring activism in Australia. A must-see for history and counterculture enthusiasts.
Director
Wendy Champagne
Runtime
82 Minutes
Country
Australia
Classification
M
A revelatory chronicle of the 1973 Aquarius Festival in Nimbin, which changed Australia forever.
Aquarius is an enthralling documentary directed by Wendy Champagne, chronicling the transformative Nimbin Aquarius Festival of 1973. This festival left an indelible mark on participants and established Nimbin as a global countercultural hub.
Around 10,000 individuals, including students, artists, and activists, converged on Nimbin for a 10-day festival. They lived, created, and explored new social paradigms together, despite resistance from locals and interference from law enforcement. The festival ignited enduring activism that continues to influence First Nations rights, women's issues, and environmental movements in Australia.
Champagne’s documentary is crafted from 95% archival footage, much newly unearthed. She collaborated with groups including Bush Video Archive, Aquarius Filmmakers Collective, Anthony Lupi Archive, and the University of NSW Architecture Students Project, to assemble a compelling narrative. Interviews with festival participants and organisers provide vivid, first-hand accounts.
Aquarius is a poignant celebration of collective action. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in transformative grassroots movements and the vibrant history of counterculture.
Aquarius is an enthralling documentary directed by Wendy Champagne, chronicling the transformative Nimbin Aquarius Festival of 1973. This festival left an indelible mark on participants and established Nimbin as a global countercultural hub.
Around 10,000 individuals, including students, artists, and activists, converged on Nimbin for a 10-day festival. They lived, created, and explored new social paradigms together, despite resistance from locals and interference from law enforcement. The festival ignited enduring activism that continues to influence First Nations rights, women's issues, and environmental movements in Australia.
Champagne’s documentary is crafted from 95% archival footage, much newly unearthed. She collaborated with groups including Bush Video Archive, Aquarius Filmmakers Collective, Anthony Lupi Archive, and the University of NSW Architecture Students Project, to assemble a compelling narrative. Interviews with festival participants and organisers provide vivid, first-hand accounts.
Aquarius is a poignant celebration of collective action. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in transformative grassroots movements and the vibrant history of counterculture.
“A well-made documentary and a satisfying look at a special time in Australian history. It’s well worth your time.”
Whats The Show
Sydney, Melbourne, CinefestOZ
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Film Credits
Director
Wendy Champagne
Year
2024
Country
Australia
Language
English
Type
Documentary & Feature
Program Strand
Feature Documentary Competition, Guest in attendance, Q&A & World Documentary
Producer
Sam Griffin
Writer
Wendy Champagne & Karin Steininger ASE
Cinematographer
Justine Kerrigan ASE
Editor
Karin Steininger ASE
Music
Damien Lane
Film Source
Madman Entertainment
Genre
Activism, Documentary & History
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