Spotlight on Jub Clerc

First Nations Writer-Director Jub Clerc is relishing in a full circle moment.

Ahead of the premiere of Season Two of Mystery Road: Origin on 21 September, which she directed, Clerc reflects on starting as a director’s attachment on the first series of Mystery Road and all that has inspired her along the way.

How did you start out in the screen industry?

I started out in the industry when I was 14. My mum had been cast in Bran Nue Dae and I spent the next four years touring around singing backstage. It was an incredible introduction into the industry because I was basically on tour with all my family as it was predominantly Broome mob who were cast. Every day was filled with laughter and music. They were the most informative years, and I think back on them with so much love and gratitude. Funnily enough, I still managed to do well in school, when I was there. Go figure.

You started as an actor, mainly for stage. What made you jump behind the camera? 

There were a couple of defining moments that inspired the jump but one of the most impactful was early on in my career.  I was at an event for a play I had worked on, and I saw the Non-Indigenous writer being praised for their deep understanding of First Nation people. It struck me that we had just spent months in “rehearsal” re-writing the entire play because this writer did not know us and we were making substantial changes to their script to make it authentic. The things we would say and feel. Our cultural knowledge and lived experience. The key creative credit really belonged to us, but that writer (and many others before and after them) would go on to get more work in our space. A veil definitely lifted that day.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration in my mob. Ancestors, family, friends and country. The resilience, lore and humanity of my people are the most inspiring. Our stories are rich and nuanced. The tapestry is deep, layered, both heartbreaking and uplifting.  They hold universal themes while being singularly unique. I love my culture and am a very proud First Nations woman. Our stories will always inspire and come first in my heart.

You directed Mystery Road: Origin S2 and say it was a ‘full circle moment’ for you after working as a director’s attachment on the first Mystery Road series. Tell us about that and how you’ve been supported in your career journey?

I had the great privilege of being ‘director’s attachment’ to my deadly jija from anotha mister Rachel Perkins on the first Mystery Road TV series in Kununurra. She put such faith in me that I thrived under her guidance. That’s a big thing, to realise your self-worth and from that I was able to learn and grow. I had genuine input into that series, and I will be forever grateful to Rach for her generosity and leadership.

To then come on board and direct Mystery Road: Origin 2 alongside my brotha from anotha motha Wayne Blair, is a full circle moment in my Mystery Road journey. Having directed Total Control 3 with Wayne, it was an easy exchange of ideas and directorial input to make it one cohesive story. We’ve been best of friends for over 20 years having worked in so many different productions in different capacities. It’s been special watching his journey as well.

I’ve also be incredibly lucky to work on a lot of Bunya’s productions from Mad Bastards, Satellite Boy and Jasper Jones, so it really is a big family get together every time we step on set. 

Screenwest has been instrumental in these wonderful experiences and opportunities. They have championed my growth as a filmmaker. They have supported me and other First Nations practitioners in multiple avenues for both emerging and established creatives. The initiatives they have designed to find talent from committed filmmakers is a testament to their journey for inclusion and diversity in the Western Australian screen sector.

Sweet As has been described as a ‘coming of age’ film, which was partly drawn from your own life. Warm Props, too, was inspired by personal experience. How is it adapting lived experiences for an audience? Is it a bit disconcerting putting parts of your life story out there?

I don’t think you can be a writer without putting parts of your life in your work. It’s where the authenticity comes from. If you aren’t showing your jugular, you’re not doing it right. It’s hard and can leave yourself vulnerable, but it’s a comforting and character-building vulnerability.

Where did you grow up? Has this had an impact on your craft? 

I grew up in Port Hedland and Broome. My traditional country is Beagle Bay and Broome, so my grandparents and Mum moved us up and down to live there through my childhood. When I was old enough I moved back to Broome permanently. Port Hedland is in my bones though. I love that country and the mob there. A lot of my family still live there.

I think the isolation of regional WA, especially pre internet, impacted my craft. The social and economic reality for my mob in a small town and the segregated mentality that followed, shaped who I am. The adults in my family, of course, tried to take the brunt of most of the racism for us kids but they couldn’t be there 24/7. In my professional life it has helped me prioritise what is an emergency and what is not. Set dramas aren’t really that bad when you are in a constant battle for basic human rights.

You have chosen to work a lot in Western Australia. What do you enjoy most about working in your home state? What is your favourite location to shoot in WA?

I love shooting in WA because it has so much to offer. It is almost half the size of Australia, so if you can’t find somewhere to shoot, you’re not looking hard enough! My favourite location to shoot is Broome, of course! Karijini was definitely a highlight location to shoot as well.

I also love being close to my family, very much. My poor suffering husband Greg who has had to put up with me for almost 20 years, and my divine daughter Mahlena-Mae, who is graduating Year 12 this year, have had to share me with the industry since day one and I find that I just don’t want to be away for months on end without them anymore. I’ve also been very lucky to have my nephew/son Jhi Jhi and his most spectacular wife Keisha move home so it’s an added bonus!! I figured out it is infinitely better sharing my success and learnings (it’s not a failure if you learn from it) with them. Just to clarify in case they read this…I said Learnings NOT Earnings!!! Ha!

I’ve missed a lot, and working mothers who I speak to all have this deep fear of ‘is this fair on my family… am I a good mum?”. Those conversations are heartbreaking and inspiring.  In them, I have found a great support network of kickass filmmaker mums.

You were the first First Nations person from Western Australia to make a feature film in Western Australia. Did you set out to be a trailblazer? And what advice would you give up-and-coming filmmakers who appreciate and aspire to your work giving a voice to First Nations storytelling?

I did not set out to be a trailblazer at all. I just want to help make change, for the positive, for my people. Full stop. If that has made me a trailblazer to someone then great, awesome. If someone looks at me like I did all to the people that inspired me, then fabulous. I hope I helped in any way.

What I would say to up-and-coming First Nation filmmakers is speak from the heart and your lived experience. Be true, show that jugular. Know you have a community, and people that will fight fiercely for you. The mantra is: “If one of us succeeds, we all do.” We are tribes, not solitary creatures.

Mystery Road: Origin Season Two will premiere on Sunday, 21 September at 8.15pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. 

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