REV25: ABEBE - BUTTERFLY SONG

In 1986, Melbourne musician David Bridie of the groups Not Drowning, Waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake travelled to Papua New Guinea, where he heard the heartfelt sounds of George Telek and the Moab Stringband’s song Abebe (Butterfly Song) on board a bus. 

It marked the beginning of Bridie’s and Telek's bond that would last more than 30 years. Together, their collaboration on critically acclaimed albums and tours has helped amplify Papuan string-band sounds and languages, like Tok Pisin and Kuanua, outside the country.

Abebe – Butterfly Song combines visits to Port Moresby and Rabaul with archival footage from tours and recording sessions in Australia, Europe and the Pacific as well as candid interviews with the pair, their friends and collaborators.

With sensitivity and skill, documentarian Rosie Jones (The Family, The Triangle Wars) has crafted a meaningful portrait, not only of two passionate musicians from different backgrounds, but also of the cross-cultural artistic exchange between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

As Papua New Guinea prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence, the themes and story of this documentary have profound resonance.

Feature Documentary | 2024 | Australia