Midnight Oil - Dreamworld

What this video is

Released in 1988, 'Dreamworld' emerged during a period of intense debate in Australia over urban development, Queensland state government overreach under Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, and the destruction of culturally significant sites including the Cloudland Dance Hall in Brisbane. Midnight Oil were at the height of their global profile following Diesel and Dust, simultaneously championing Aboriginal land rights…

Why it matters

A landmark entry in Australian protest rock video-making, 'Dreamworld' demonstrates how a politically engaged band could deploy documentary aesthetics and compositing effects to transform a performance clip into activist communication. It stands alongside 'Beds Are Burning' as evidence of Midnight…

The director

Andrew de Groot and Paul Elliot are Australian film and video directors who collaborated on the Midnight Oil 'Dreamworld' music video in 1988. Andrew de Groot is also credited on other Australian screen productions. Both directors are listed on IMDB for this…