Bush Mechanics is a four-part television series directed by David Batty and Francis Jupurrurla Kelly, and produced by the Warlpiri Media Association, released in 2001. A
bush mechanic, in Australian parlance, is someone who uses unorthodox techniques and readily available materials to build or fix mechanical problems. The television show features Aboriginal (
Warlpiri) people from
Yuendumu, in the
Northern Territory, fixing cars as they travel through
Central Australia. As they traverse the desert in their dilapidated vehicles, the series follows how they solve multiple car problems with inventive, wacky and unpredictable
bush repair techniques. The characters include Jack Jakamarra, an
Aboriginal elder who introduces the episodes by recalling some of his first encounters with white people and their ways, and Jupurrula, the "magic mechanic" who seems to appear out of nowhere to help the Bush Mechanics when they're in real trouble. The television series was made after an initial half-hour documentary, which garnered international recognition. It consisted of four subsequent episodes, first broadcast by
ABC Television (Australia) from 2 October 2001 ==Episodes==