Aquarius (2024, Australia)

Dreamers, Tree-Huggers and Radical Ratbags

In May 1973, 10,000 artists, activists, hippies, radical students, gurus and visionaries descended on a small dairy farm for 10 days on social and cultural exploration that changed a generation. Those 10 days birthed an irrepressible movement that may have been the much-needed blueprint for sustainable change.

When thousands of young people travelled the back roads of Northern NSW 50 years ago to camp and explore a new way of living at Nimbin Aquarius Festival something unexpected happened amongst all the bliss, drugs and drama.

Through extensive collaboration and hours of precious newly-uncovered footage, the film directs our gaze to the Festival – its inception and its aftermath – and examines the power of that one event to continue to shape history.