New Gold Mountain - Your Chinese Australia

[helen]

About the film

The ‘fair dinkum’ story of how Chinese migration shaped contemporary Australia...

Since the arrival of Chinese settlers during the 19th century gold rushes in Victoria and New South Wales, the Australian Chinese community has contributed to the development of our multicultural nation with its rich cultural life and entrepreneurial enthusiasm.

From the Chinese migrants’ modest beginnings as gold miners, traders and labourers, Chinese Australians have developed into successful leaders in business, law, medicine, science and politics. Their labours built transport, communications, pioneered new trade routes and cultural institutions that have forged the very shape of urban and remote Australia.

Today, it is estimated that there are over one million people with Chinese ancestry in Australia. In 2012, for the first time in the 224-year history since British colonisation, Australia accepted more Chinese immigrants than British.

Tracking the experiences of four Chinese Australian families, New Gold Mountain – Your Chinese Australia will unravel fascinating chapters of their migration history. Some came for gold, some for freedom, some to escape starvation. Many would return to ‘ancestral villages’, but many would live full lives and remain in Xin Jin Shan, or ‘New Gold Mountain’, creating a powerful thread in the evolution of Australian culture.

Four waves of migration will expose the complicated comings and goings of Chinese migrants to Australia between 1788 and 2013. Each wave will be viewed through the life-stories of a contemporary Chinese-Australian family.

1788 – 1877 Pioneering, Labour and Gold Rushes
1877 – 1920 Craftsman, Artisans, Domiciles and Australian born Chinese
1920 – 1990 War, Famine and Refugees
1990 – 2013 Migration, Education and Citizenship

This host driven, magazine style, feature documentary will move around the Australian continent, introducing Chinese families, capital cities, geographical regions, tourist hotspots, and postcards of ‘Chinese Australian Legends’. This is Australian history as you’ve never seen it before… this is your Chinese Australia!
Funding amount Sought

AUD $75000 for development
Total Project Budget

AUD $1000000
Length of Production

90 minutes
Stage of Production

Development
How does the project meet the aims of a philanthropic foundation?

The aim of New Gold Mountain – Your Chinese Australia is to provide an entertaining historical education about the story of Chinese Australia. Through the experiences of four Chinese families, this documentary will unravel this fascinating aspect of Australia’s migration history and what it has meant for our society today.

The documentary will provide insight to both Chinese and Australian audiences about the struggles and determination of one of Australia’s earliest migration groups.

Our objective is to provide a historical and contemporary context for an Australian and Chinese public about the strong link between the two cultures. Furthermore, to inspire newly arrived Chinese migrants and motivate them to engage with and make a difference to their local communities.
What outcomes do you hope to achieve by making this film and how will you measure its impact?

This project will be the first of its kind in Australia.

The feature documentary for domestic release will provide knowledge to Chinese Australians and Chinese tourists about the history of Chinese migration to Australia and the colourful role this played in building this country. Our research indicates that there is an immense gap between the real Chinese history of this country and what Chinese Australians and non Chinese Australians know or have been taught.

A one-hour television documentary for Chinese TV will encourage prospective Chinese visitors to develop a greater cross-cultural understanding of Australian society and to feel connected to the country by the endevours of their forefathers. We believe when Chinese visitors develop a stronger understanding of the history of Chinese migrants and their role in the cultural and societal make up of Australia, it will greatly strengthen their bond with this place. Our aim is to assist in growing Australia as a destination of choice for Chinese visitors through partnerships with selected Chinese regional broadcasters.

The measures of success and its impact will be determined by the demand for the film by stakeholders and audiences. Our team will closely monitor this progress from release.
What is your education and outreach strategy

Australia was known to the Chinese as “Xin Jin Shan,” which translates as “New Gold Mountain” yet our research shows that a majority of Chinese people from China have limited understanding of the multi-generational story of Chinese Australia.

A documentary showcasing the history of Chinese Australians presents a unique opportunity to strengthen cultural and social understanding between China and Australia.

The documentary’s primary audience are Chinese Australians and Chinese tourists. Our secondary audience are television viewers in China and the general Australian public domestically.

A comprehensive and entertaining film is perfect for engaging and promoting Chinese migration history within the curriculum and programs of school groups, universities, community groups and museums.

The Federal Government’s current education strategy is to include the history of Chinese Australia in school curricula by 2014 as a part of an “Asia-literate” Australia. We see great merit in working with, for example, ATOM and VEA to pursue an educational release as part of Australian History studies and partnering with museums such as the Migration Museum in Melbourne or the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo.
- See more at: www.documentaryaustralia.com.au/films/details/1620/new-gold-mountain-your-chinese-australia#sthash.6mN1EANh.dpuf


www.documentaryaustralia.com.au/films/details/1620/new-gold-mountain-your-chinese-australia