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Larissa Behrendt Larissa Behrendt i(A14355 works by) (birth name: Larissa Yasmin Behrendt )
Born: Established: 1969 Cooma, Cooma area, Cooma - Snowy - Bombala area, Southeastern NSW, New South Wales, ;
Gender: Female
Heritage: Aboriginal Kamilaroi ; Aboriginal Eualeyai ; Aboriginal
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Works By

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1 Demythologising the Frontier Larissa Behrendt , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Inside Story , December 2023;

— Review of Killing for Country : A Family Story David Marr , 2023 multi chapter work criticism

'David Marr’s intergenerational account of colonisation challenges us to think differently about truth-telling' (Introduction)

1 The Visitors Review – Wesley Enoch at His Best in Play That Thrums with Fresh Potency Larissa Behrendt , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 19 September 2023;

— Review of The Visitors Jane Harrison , 2014 single work drama
'Jane Harrison’s play tells of the first fleet landing from the perspective of the First Nations people watching. It’s a story set in the past – but its most potent questions are about the future'
1 2 form y separately published work icon You Can Go Now Larissa Behrendt , ( dir. Larissa Behrendt ) Australia : Good Thing Productions Company , 2022 23639358 2022 single work film/TV

'50 years of First Nations activism in Australia through the lens of contemporary Australian Aboriginal artist Richard Bell.

'First Nations artist Richard Bell proclaims himself to be an ‘activist masquerading as an artist.’ His confrontational work and attitudes have stirred the Australian art world while being lauded internationally, taking him from a childhood in a rural Queensland shack to the lofty halls of the Tate Modern. Schooled in the rough and tumble politics of Redfern and the Canberra Tent Embassy, his work challenges the institutions of colonisation in Australia and asserts the rights of First Nations people around the world. Through this collaboration with Emory Douglas, a Black Panther known as the ‘Revolutionary Artist’ Bell’s work links the fight for rights in Australia and the U.S. He has profoundly challenged the Australian art world with his scorching manifesto, Bell’s Theorem, that labelled the Aboriginal Art industry as ‘a white thing’ defined by colonial power structures that profit most from it. At a time when Australia is contemplating voice, truth and treaty, Bell’s ideas cannot be ignored.'

Source: Production blurb.

1 y separately published work icon Indigenous Australia For Kids Larissa Behrendt , Richmond : John Wiley and Sons , 2021 24008175 2021 multi chapter work criticism children's

'A comprehensive, relevant, and accessible look at all aspects of Indigenous Australian history and culture.

'Indigenous Australia For Kids For Dummies is here to enlighten you about the history, struggles and triumphs of the diverse peoples that make up Australia's Indigenous communities. Did you know that Australia is home to the world's oldest culture? Experience 60,000 years of history and culture, plus, get right up-to-the-minute, with amazing facts about Indigenous sports and entertainment figures and info on what matters to Indigenous peoples today.

'This interactive book has loads of features that will engage and excite readers aged 10-15 years old - and their teachers and parents! Featuring profiles of celebrated Indigenous people like Cathy Freeman and Albert Namatjira, as well as fun research projects and hands-on activities that bring Indigenous Australia to life. Ever wanted to connect with your local Indigenous communities? This book will give you ideas about how you can connect with First Nations peoples and other interactive ways to extend your learning out of the book.

  • Discover the rich culture, long history and special values of the world's oldest race
  • Learn about Indigenous art, song, dance, literature and contributions to contemporary Australia
  • Impress friends and family with your knowledge of Australian colonisation and Indigenous rights
  • Figure out what's going on in the lives of Indigenous Australians today - and bust the most common myths

'This book is perfect for young readers who want to appreciate and understand the diverse, proud, and fascinating peoples that make up Australia's Indigenous communities.'  (Publication summary)

1 form y separately published work icon Araakita : Rise Up! Larissa Behrendt , ( dir. Larissa Behrendt ) Australia : 2021 23288300 2021 single work film/TV

'“We’re the biggest of the Pacific nations, we’ve got the oldest culture out of all those Pacific nations – we should be the main ones doing something to show respect to our traditional people.”

'That’s the pursuit driving Dean Widders in Araatika: Rise Up! A First Nations Australian and prominent NRL player, Dean strives for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander equivalent of the haka, collaborating with fellow Indigenous players and the Bangarra Dance Theatre crew to create a formidable and memorable routine.

'Featuring prominent rugby league players (male and female) alongside the likes of Adam Goodes and Stan Grant, Araatika examines the uneasy tension between the racist bedrock of white Australian culture and our enduring obsession with sport.'

Source: Brisbane International Film Festival.

1 Show Your Working : Larissa Behrendt Larissa Behrendt , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: Kill Your Darlings [Online] , August 2021;
1 7 y separately published work icon After Story Larissa Behrendt , St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 2021 20858217 2021 single work novel

'When Indigenous lawyer Jasmine decides to take her mother Della on a tour of England’s most revered literary sites, Jasmine hopes it will bring them closer together and give her mother an inspiring break from the difficult life she has endured.

'Twenty-five years earlier the abduction and murder of Jasmine’s sister shocked and broke their tight-knit community in northern NSW. The legacy of losing their sister and daughter follows Jasmine and Della as they visit the homes of English literary greats such as Thomas Hardy, the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf, with Jasmine hoping to escape the challenges of the life she has carved for herself and Della, reflecting on the rich stories of her own life and people.' (Publication summary)

1 form y separately published work icon Maralinga Tjarutja Larissa Behrendt , ( dir. Larissa Behrendt ) Australia : Blackfella Films Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2020 20705713 2020 single work film/TV

'Maralinga Tjarutja land, located in regional South Australia, was used for the British Nuclear Test Program between 1953 and 1963. The Maralinga Tjarutja people fought for the clean-up of contamination, for compensation and for the handback in 2009 of the Maralinga Village and Test Sites. They have since rebuilt traditional communities into vibrant, creative cultural communities that will ensure Maralinga Tjarutja custodianship of their lands into the future.

'New SAFC supported ABC documentary Maralinga Tjarutja tells this story through the eyes of the Maralinga Tjarutja people, who have lived on their lands for over 60 thousand years. The documentary shines a fresh spotlight on what is both a story of deep tragedy and also incredible resilience, celebrating the people, their tenacious spirit and cultural strength through which they fight to retain their country.'

Source: South Australian Film Corporation (Sighted: 4/11/2020).

1 Fiona Foley's art of the uncomfortable: 'I wanted to provoke a conversation about racism' Larissa Behrendt , 2020 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 7 January 2020;

'The 30-year career of this soft-spoken but fiercely intellectual artist is one of reclaiming Indigenous identities and rewriting history'

(Source : Abstract)

1 How to Rule the World Review – Nakkiah Lui Hits the Zeitgeist, and No One Leaves Unscathed Larissa Behrendt , 2019 single work review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 16 February 2019;

— Review of How to Rule the World Nakkiah Lui , 2019 single work drama

'One of Australia’s most interesting writers continues to evolve, in this punchy, relevant play about power and race in Canberra.' 

1 8 form y separately published work icon Total Control Black B*tch Stuart Page , Kim Wilson , Rachel Perkins , Pip Karmel , Angela Betzien , Larissa Behrendt , Nakkiah Lui , Julia Moriarty , Meyne Wyatt , Debra Oswald , ( dir. Rachel Perkins et. al. )agent Australia : Blackfella Films Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2019-2023 15284926 2019 series - publisher film/TV

'An unlikely national hero, Alex is catapulted into government in a cynical power play. Used, abandoned and underestimated, now she's on a path that will send the political establishment into meltdown.'

Source: Screen Australia.

1 The Smoke of Several Fires Larissa Behrendt , 2018 single work essay
— Appears in: Reading the Landscape : A Celebration of Australian Writing 2018; (p. 94-106)
1 TV Spin-off Unearths Ambitious Tale of Small-town Secrets Larissa Behrendt , 2018 single work review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 4 June 2018;

'Director Rachel Perkins leaves her mark on this satisfying spin-off of Ivan Sen’s film with the aid of a stellar cast and outstanding cinematography.'  (Introduction)

1 form y separately published work icon Barbara Larissa Behrendt , ( dir. Larissa Behrendt et. al. )agent Australia : Pursekey Productions , 2017 14375268 2017 single work film/TV

'Since Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen generation in 2008 the number of Indigenous children in out of home care in Australia has risen from 9,000 to over 16,000. Noongar woman Barbara was caring for her grandchildren when in 2013 her daughter Tiara was taken from school by welfare workers and returned to Queensland. At no time did FACS alert Barbara to any issues regarding Tiara’s welfare. Barbara fought for the next seven months to have her returned to her care. With the help of Grandmothers Against Removal (GMAR) Barbara won her case but knows there are possible long term consequences. “I can’t say that the time she was in FACS hasn’t changed her because it has. And I just hope that over time, we can help her deal with all the things she has to deal with. Sometimes I think that it’s too much for one little child.”'

Source: Pursekey Productions.

1 form y separately published work icon K'gari Fiona Foley , Larissa Behrendt , Tori-Jay Mordey (illustrator), Sydney : SBS , 2017 12361285 2017 single work film/TV

An interactive documentary telling the story of the shipwreck of Eliza Fraser on K'gari (later Fraser Island) from the perspective of the Butchulla people among whom she found herself.

1 4 form y separately published work icon After the Apology Larissa Behrendt , ( dir. Larissa Behrendt ) Sydney : Pursekey Productions , 2017 11926129 2017 single work film/TV

'It shocks many people to learn that the number of Aboriginal children being removed today by welfare agencies is much higher than during the time of the Stolen Generations. After the Apology is a landmark documentary exploring the continued practice of child removal and the community response. Grandmothers Against Removal are fighting back and bringing the children home.' (Production summary)

After the Apology was broadcast on NITV on 14 October 2018. It will be available through NITV for sometime following the broadcast: https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/

1 14 y separately published work icon Finding Eliza : Power and Colonial Storytelling Larissa Behrendt , St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 2016 9186866 2016 multi chapter work criticism

'A vital Aboriginal perspective on colonial storytelling

'Indigenous lawyer and writer Larissa Behrendt has long been fascinated by the story of Eliza Fraser, who was purportedly captured by the local Butchulla people after she was shipwrecked on their island in 1836. In this deeply personal book, Behrendt uses Eliza’s tale as a starting point to interrogate how Aboriginal people – and indigenous people of other countries – have been portrayed in their colonizers’ stories. Citing works as diverse as Robinson Crusoe and Coonardoo, she explores the tropes in these accounts, such as the supposed promiscuity of Aboriginal women, the Europeans’ fixation on cannibalism, and the myth of the noble savage. Ultimately, Behrendt shows how these stories not only reflect the values of their storytellers but also reinforce those values – which in Australia led to the dispossession of Aboriginal people and the laws enforced against them. ' (Publication summary)

1 Power from the People : A Community- Based Approach to Indigenous Self-determination Larissa Behrendt , 2016 single work criticism
— Appears in: Indigenous Australians, Social Justice and Legal Reform 2016;
1 The Dialogue of Intervention Larissa Behrendt , 2015 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Intervention : An Anthology 2015; (p. 64-74)
1 Gary Foley, the Activist and Artist, Makes Australia Come to Him Larissa Behrendt , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 27 May 2015;
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