Big Bag’s Japanese Adventure (1998)

The Big Bag Band is invited to perform at a disabled arts festival in Japan. Three of the band are intellectually disabled, four are not. The documentary follows their departure from Australia, preparations in Japan and the concert itself.

Big Bag’s Japanese Adventure gently reveals the world of the intellectually disabled band members. The documentary captures moments of intimacy between abled and disabled band members. Mick, the lead singer, reveals his view on the world – a rare opportunity to understand intellectual disability. The filmmakers have used Japanese objects and words superimposed on the images to enhance the film, giving the work a Japanese mood.