KEMIRA: Diary of a Strike (1984) Screening and conversation with Dir. Tom Zubrycki

Join us for a free screening of KEMIRA: Diary of a Strike (1984) followed by a conversation with Dir. Tom Zubrycki.

Tom Zubrycki is one of the key Australian documentary filmmakers of the last 50 years. His documentaries as director and producer reflect the shifting political, social and cultural landscape while remaining committed to social justice, human rights and the ethics of filmmaking. KEMIRA - DIARY OF A STRIKE (1984) was his second feature. It won the AACTA for Best Documentary that year

The strike at Kemira started when 31 miners occupied the pit and established themselves 5 kilometres underground. The strike captured the imagination of the whole city.  In 1982 Wollongong was hit hard when BHP announced its intention to dramatically reduce its steelworks workforce and close down several coal mines. KEMIRA was one of them.

The film captures the day drama as events unfolded over the 16 days of the strike. Right at the start the Womens Auxiliary organised a kitchen, while fellow miners set up an embassy at pit-top and kept vigil. A few days later several hundred miners and steelworkers set off by train to Canberra. On arrival they marched to Parliament House and broke down the doors. Suddenly the plight of Wollongong was brought to the attention of the entire nation.

The film captures these dramatic events and then proceeds to follow the fortunes of some of the strikers and their families.

More information about the making of film, Tom's body of work, including links to his films, and articles and presentations, visit his website: www.tomzubrycki.com.

Free, all welcome. Registration appreciated via Eventbrite.