Landmark Filmmaker Letter – THE NIGHTINGALE

Writer/Director Jennifer Kent

It was not easy to consider taking on a story that was essentially a shared narrative between a white woman and an Aboriginal man. I knew from the get go if I was going to take it on, I needed to collaborate with Tasmanian Aboriginal people or it wouldn’t happen. This is what led me to Tasmanian Aboriginal elder uncle Jim Everett. Working with Jim on The Nightingale was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Jim is a highly respected author, poet and storyteller in his own right. He’s been a political activist for many decades, a natural leader who has worked tirelessly to strengthen the rights of his people. We were very lucky to have his support on this project. In fact, if we didn’t have him on board, the film quite simply would never have been made… READ MORE