‘Water Song’ unfolds from deep within the collaborative fabric of Hand to Earth—a project shaped by over two decades of friendship, artistic exchange, and cultural respect.

Developed from an ancient songline and refracted through this contemporary setting created by Hand to Earth, 'Water Song' traces the path of Djuwalpada —a creator ancestor from the dreaming of the Wägilak people.

Beginning at a freshwater billabong near Nyilipidgi, north-east of Ngukurr and travelling through country to the saltwater shores of Groote Eylandt, ‘Water Song’ follows the ancestral act of “singing up the land”—bringing into being the tools, stories, and ceremonies that shape Yolŋu life.

Alongside Daniel Wilfred, his brother David Wilfred anchors the ensemble on yidaki—the rhythmic and spiritual ground. Sunny Kim answers with voice, frame drum, and kkwaenggwari (Korean gong), while Aviva Endean intervenes delicately with prepared bass clarinet and harmonic flute. Peter Knight brings prepared trumpet and electronics, building an atmosphere of shimmering instability—where tone dissolves into texture.

Directed by Berni Jiang, the film captures the subtle magnetism of their exchange. ‘Water Song’ is a reflection of Hand to Earth’s living relationship—between voices, instruments, and traditions held in careful balance.

As Daniel says: “I sing my song to them. They sing their song to me.”

Director: Berni Jiang
Producer: Soie An
Cinematographer: Trudi Gultom
Camera Operator: Irisha Adnyana
1st AC: Jubilee Chan
Colourist: Alex Gibbs
Lighting Design: Andre Vanderwert
Recording Engineer: Toby Baldwin
Mix Engineer: Nathan Moas
Thumbnail Photographer: Brontë Godden
Supervising Producer: Angus Hunt
Executive Producer: Judith Neilson