Bastardy
Amiel Courtin-Wilson
84 minutes
Bastardy is an intimate documentary about Jack Charles, a legendary Kulin elder whose jovial spark has inspired not just film and theatre audiences but countless walkers and wanderers of the streets of Northern suburbs in Melbourne, for 40 years with infectious humour and optimism. Charles founded Nindethana, the first Aboriginal theatre company in 1971 in Melbourne and has since performed with Australia’s most renowned actors and directors in feature films, TV series and hundreds of players.
Bastardy is a profoundly personal story of a self-proclaimed Robin Hood of the streets. Filmmaker Amiel Courtin-Wilson worked with Jack Charles over seven years, as he traverses a path of crime and heroin addiction while building his bright career as a performer. The film offers a portrait of historical trauma, fringe-dwelling itinerancy and the ultimate redemption for a man who has entertained and advocated with equal generosity and relentless spirit.