It’s important to be reminded occasionally of how cinema can elevate and liberate simply by striking a chord that joins us all as human beings. Lisa Nicol’s splendid doco does exactly that.
As Philistine politicians continue to strip funding from arts bodies, national treasures such as Michelle Leonard carry on regardless in their efforts to repel the barbarians from the door. In Michelle’s case, she exposes children in remote and disadvantaged areas of NSW to the wonders of music and, through it, to their own limitless potential. Every year, driving from Brewarrina to Walgett to Lightning Ridge and farther, she auditions scores of school kids for her Moorambilla Voices choir. Those that make the cut are then brought to a camp where they receive intensive training and, critically, formal instruction, before coming together again for the annual Coonamble Festival. Nicol’s camera catches all of the fresh, eager faces, but introduces us more intimately to a handful of the youngsters and their parents. I loved the little Indigenous boy in his blue Origin jersey who has just been taught about music written on the page – ‘now I know all the sharps and… what are the others called?’; the boy who only wants to sing and dance – ‘we tried, but he was never gonna play rugby,’ his mum and dad concede – and who has discovered that there are others like him after all; the girl who needs to be the centre of attention and would like to be a famous country singer; and the inseparable sisters…
At the heart of it all, larger than life, is the exuberant Michelle, repeatedly stressing that learning is a tool that should never be neglected and encouragement the key that should never be ignored. Contrary to the decrees of many limp-wristed educationists, Michelle also insists that competition brings out the best in the boys. She is convinced, and you will be too, that anything is possible. Beautifully shot and edited, this is the sort of movie that moves you to tears of joy. Extraordinary.
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