Bran Nue Dae

Set in the late 60’s, the lively drama ‘Bran Nue Dae’ gives background to the making of a musical of the same name, released in 1990.

Willie, an easy-going kid, who only takes pleasure in hanging-out with his friends and dating his girl Rosie, is driven into a world, where an oppressive and condescending life awaits him. The 16-year-old is living with his mother in a community named Broome, which is an idyllic spot on Australia’s west coast. If on one side Willie, being contented in his life, has nothing else to ask for, his devout mother, on the other side, thinks that the boy should be more responsible as he’s a grown-up now. Following her fear and concern for Willie, she impels him to attend a Catholic boarding school for boys, in Perth. Though Willie takes his mother’s wish as an order and leaves for the school, it takes not much longer for him to flee away, either. This he does because of the treatment he’s proffered in the church by the school’s iron-willed headmaster, Father Benedictus. While he’s all alone in the city, a streetwise character enters into the scene to help him out, and i.e. Uncle Tadpole. Being an errant former resident of Broome, Uncle Tadpole offers his mentoring to the boy to get back home.

What ensues is that the duo hitches rides across the continent, while Father Benedictus is determined to bring Willie back to the school. What follows next is a chain of intriguing events and colorful characters, as Willie and Uncle Tadpole make their way back to Broome.