Sammy is renowned as the best guitar player in Central Australia and in the top league of the Indigenous music scene. Self taught from the age of ten, Sammy went on to form Warumpi Band along with Neil Murray. After extensive touring and recording, Sammy now lives and works in his homeland, Papunya, 250km west of Alice Springs. Our documentary focuses on his work within the community, his traditional culture and language, Luritja.

25 minute Documentary
Nganampa Anwernekenhe Series 16
Directed by Allan Collins and Lisa Watts

This documentary comprises of two segments that focus on Sammy Butcher’s significant contributions to the legendary Warumpi Band and explore the admirable traits in depth of ‘the man behind the guitar’.

The Warumpi Band segment highlights Sammy Butcher as one of the founders of the legendary Warumpi Band, nationally acclaimed for laying the groundwork for other successful successive Indigenous rock bands, such as Yothu Yindi.  Archival footage shows Sammy as a young an upcoming talent in the early eighties and his pivotal role in the Warumpi Band, including the release of the first rock tune in an Aboriginal language (Luritja),’Jailanguru Pakarnu’ in 1988.

It is apparent that his experiences of touring regionally, nationally and internationally over a span of twenty years have enriched his perspective on socio-political issues.  The documentary discloses the source of Sammy’s inspiration to learn the guitar in the relatively early years of indigenous dispossession in Central Australia.

In the examination of the admirable traits of the ‘man behind the guitar’, the documentary shows Sammy’s seemingly much felt self-responsibility to provide a better life for his fellow countrymen.   Most significantly, illustrating Sammy’s tireless efforts in producing, writing and teaching music for and with young people, emphasising his fundamental beliefs on the importance of using music to provide a positive future for the younger generation.

The documentary also examines Sammy’s traditional affiliations to country. Sammy takes us on a journey for to his home-land, a contested site called Pikilyi, located on Mt Doreen Pastoral Lease, approximately 377km north-west of Alice Springs.  In the process of Sammy re-claiming his own birthright from his father’s side and whilst under the guidance of his Warlpiri fathers and we receive an explication of why Sammy has not entered his home-lands prior to this journey.

DVD available from the CAAMA shop online.

Further clips and teachers notes are available from Australian Screen. If you intend to use this film in the classroom please purchase an educational copy from the CAAMA shop.

Sammy Butcher Press Kit

CREDITS
Featuring Sammy Butcher
And
Simon Fisher
James Marshall
Snowy McDonald
Dinny Nolan
Michael Nelson
Joy Brown
Owen Sandy
Caroline Samson
Jayquin Nelson
Mason Nelson
Ethan McDonald
Nahila Sandy
Aben Sandy
Kyle Sandy
Vincent McDonald
Tyron Anderson
Brian Butcher
Lisa Watts
Jeremiah Butcher
Anyupa Butcher
Crystal Butcher
Sharon Butcher
Stephanie Bush
Elsie Corey
Alice Nolan
Martha McDonald
Serita Lane
Penny McDonald
Jason Butcher
Paul Marshall
Steven Marshall
Esau Marshall
Samuel Inkamala
Baydon Roger
Silas Raggett
Marcus McDonald
Peter Garrett
Corey Noll
Russell Crowe
Barnabus Daniels
The Little Orphan Band

Dogs
Katie
Twistie
Kurldardy

Writer – Lisa Watts
Director– Lisa Watts & Allan Collins
Associate Producer – Sammy Butcher
Cinematographer – Allan Collins ACS
Sound Recordist –David Tranter
On-Set Production Assistants – Vance Glynn & Dwayne Tickner
2nd Unit Cinematographer  - Dwayne Tickner
2nd Unit Sound Recordist – James Bradley
Translators – Sammy Butcher, Valerie Martin, Peter Bartlett and Lisa Watts
Editor – Bill Murphy
Assistant Editor – Keith Skinner
Map Design – Jo Bonniface, Red Dirt Graphics
Sound Designer – Corey Noll
Composer – Sammy Butcher
Online Editor – Keith Skinner

Music

Original music by Sammy Butcher
‘This is for you”
“Misty Morning Rain”
“Mungarrtji (Mid-Afternoon)”
“Masacre”
From the album “Desert Surf Guitar”
CAAMA Music
Sound engineer: Ross Muir, Red Dirt Studio

Original Music by the Warumpi Band
“Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out from Jail)” (Neil Murray/Sammy Butcher)
“My Island Home” (Neil Murray)
From the album “Go Bush”
Licenced by Festival Mushroom Records
Publishers: Universal Music

Original music by Tjupi Band
Sammy Butcher/Barnabus Daniels
“Ngayulu Nyangu (I’ve seen it all)”
Performed by Little Orphan Band
CAAMA Music

Archival Footage

News footage of the Papunya Opening Studios,
supplied by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Early Warumpi Band footage, supplied by CAAMA Productions

Special Thanks to
Simon Fisher
James Marshall
The Braitling Family
Snowy McDonald
Dinny Nolan
Michael Nelson
Martha McDonald
Alice Nolan
Papunya Community
Papunya Community Counil Inc.
Papunya School
The Warumpi Band
Steve Hanley
Yuendumu Community
Warlpiri Media Association
Central Land Council
Shane Mulcahy
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Priscilla Collins, Lexine Solomon, Tilly and Troy, Chris Farrer
Alistair Feehan & Wendy Henderson
Herman Marcic

Executive Producer –Citt Williams
Nganampa Anwernekenhe Series Producer – Rachel Clements
Production Manager – Rachel Clements
Production Co-ordinator - Dena Curtis
Production Assistant - Vance Glynn