Reverse Anthem

Reverse Anthem is an artist film commissioned by RISING and exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria as part of Melbourne Now.

Initiated by artists Kate Daw and Stewart Russell, the project brings together artists, composer, filmmaker, choreographer and choir to question the promise of unity embedded within Advance Australia Fair.

For the film, the collective learns to perform the anthem backwards and upside down—transforming a familiar national symbol into something disorientating, playful and defiant. Through performance, choreography and moving image, the reversed anthem becomes a collective act of resistance, challenging ingrained inequalities while making space for voices traditionally positioned outside the national narrative.

Featuring Kate Daw, Stewart Russell, Jonathan Welch AM, Amrita Hepi and Antuong Nguyen, Reverse Anthemexplores how art and collaboration can challenge inherited ideas of identity, belonging and nationhood.

Originally commissioned by RISING and exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Melbourne Now.

Film directed by Antuong Nguyen. Produced by Silky Jazz.