TRACY
On Christmas Eve in 1974, as families tucked in for the night, all set for the day of festivities to come, Cyclone Tracy was making her way across the ocean to the north. In the early hours of Christmas Day, Tracy unleashed her wrath upon Darwin and surrounds, claiming 66 lives and destroying around 90 percent of the city's housing.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
RESIDENTS WERE ILL-PREPARED for the onslaught Tracy unleashed, the cyclone originally predicted to scoot by without penalty. A late turn in her trajectory meant residents were taken by surprise.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the devastating natural disaster, local filmmaker and director Kostadinos Hatzivalsamis decided to make a movie about it, his own family and their experience being the inspiration behind the project.
“This historical event is embedded in my family's living memory, as well as many others across Darwin. It’s a story deeply rooted in Darwin and its inhabitants. My vision for this film is to provide an understanding for those that did not experience the events, whilst also honouring those that have,” he says.
“Essentially [I made the movie] for my father. I wanted to honour his experience in light of the 50th anniversary.”
The flick premiered at Deckchair Cinema last month to a sold-out crowd, featuring many familiar local faces in the cast and behind-the-scenes. In fact, there’s been so much demand for the flick, a second screening has been programmed early this month.
Hatzivalsamis says he and the creative team have been overwhelmed by the community’s support, and that it was an honour to have the film premiere at the Deckie.
“The Deckie's an institution that stands for high-quality, independent, and international cinema. To screen there felt like I graduated,” he says.
“The response has been amazing so far. I'm so grateful the community appreciates what we set out to achieve.”
TRACY - Encore Screening
WHEN THU 5 JUN | 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $11-$45
INFO deckchaircinema.com
