29.4.07

The synopsis


Darwin, 2007.
Dora [Anglo-Australian] struggles with her aging process. Wrestling wrinkles and middle-aged spread, her world is defined by models of the young and picture-perfect. Her friend Beatrice [Indigenous-Australian] has no such qualms. She sits well in her changing body, within a culture where aging equals wisdom and respect.

At the local Museum and Art Gallery, Dora ventures in to find a toilet. Ensconced in a world of stick figures, already uncomfortable with her clothes and body, Dora emerges from the toilet to find herself disoriented. She finds herself in a gallery of Indigenous artworks, which `sing’ her towards a Golden Light.

The Light lures Dora into a vast room, where she is alone – save the larger-than-life statue of a naked Golden Woman: voluptuous, accepting, serene. Dora instantly identifies with the body image presented by the Golden Woman; who comes alive, and invites Dora to engage in an animated world where they commune closely; two souls on the same journey. The statue accepts Dora as she is, and for who she is.

Dora undergoes a psychological metamorphosis, realising that her own voluptuous, aging body is equally as beautiful as the statue’s. All her curves, lumps and bumps are perfect: as womanly as they should be. If the Golden Woman can thus celebrate her size and shape, then so can Dora.

Dora returns home carrying two mysterious shopping bags, and – in the privacy of her own world - she begins to strip, liberating herself from her clothes, celebrating her curvaceous, drooping features.

Beatrice turns up at Dora’s house for a cuppa. She knocks on the door. No response. She knocks again. Nothing.

Familiar with Dora’s eccentric ways, Beatrice lets herself into Dora’s house. Inside, she encounters a world full of floating, breathing clothes and golden light. Lured out the back by the golden light, Beatrice is met with an unexpected sight…

There stands Dora – fully naked - painted gold. Relishing her large, golden body, Dora finally sits well in her own skin.

Dora spots Beatrice and they laugh with the beauty of the moment; their voices and bodies merging to become one laugh, one body, one colour; melding together in a big mixing pot of self-acceptance, self-tolerance, and friendship.

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