### A Glimpse into Roxby Downs

In the **remote South Australian mining town** of Roxby Downs, artist **Emmaline Zanelli** embarks on a journey to understand the lives of young residents. Armed with cameras, she captures the essence of life in a town built around one of the world's largest mines, the **Olympic Dam**.

![Zanelli capturing the Olympic Dam mine](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/15e08579e0a112b2b624ce6d7ab64636?src)
*Zanelli, with cinematographer Katrina Penning (on car), about as close as a non-mine worker can get to Olympic Dam.*

Founded in 1986, Roxby Downs has a population of about **4,000**, with **3,500** connected to the mine. Zanelli, originally expecting a **dusty military camp**, was surprised to find a nicely developed town with landscaped areas and recreational facilities.

### The Community's Unique Reality

Zanelli's connection to the mining community runs deep, as family members have worked in the mine. She notes that Roxby Downs is not a place where people settle for long, as evidenced by its **cemetery**, which only holds pets. 

**“It’s not a place that people stay,”** Zanelli remarks, highlighting the transient nature of its residents.

### Capturing Youthful Perspectives

Understanding the **youth culture** in Roxby Downs became Zanelli's mission. She aimed to provide a voice to the **teenagers** who often feel isolated due to their parents' work commitments in the mining sector. 

**“I wanted to give those young people a voice,”** she explains, emphasizing their **intelligence** and **humor**. Her project culminated in a video artwork titled **“I take care of what's mine,”** blending documentary and fiction through footage from local youth.

![Teenager in his bedroom](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/64b089d45bbc4c7b1d2e8285e1b509dd?src)
*Video portraits of teenagers in their bedrooms feature in the film.*

### The Filmmaking Process

Over two years, Zanelli provided **filmmaking classes** and **creative workshops** to empower local kids. She equipped them with **handycams** and encouraged them to express their creativity, resulting in a chaotic yet thrilling visual narrative.

![Kids learning filmmaking](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/8d4cfb4ca75fed8784b029f4170c7d39?src)
*Local kids and teenagers got the opportunity to learn filmmaking skills.*

### Themes of Freedom and Fantasy

The final video artwork features surreal scenes, capturing the **freedom**, **boredom**, and **wonderment** of youth in Roxby Downs. Zanelli notes the **tension** between the carefree lives of kids and the looming industrial site nearby, creating a unique juxtaposition.

![Child playing with playdough](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/e782269b38656be367522461552aab70?src)
*Pre-school kids create mining machinery with playdough in a workshop with Zanelli.*

### Upcoming Screenings

The young creators will see their work showcased in early **2025**, culminating in a community event that celebrates their contributions. Zanelli's project not only highlights the **unique experiences** of Roxby Downs youth but also fosters a sense of **community** and **creativity**.

**“The kids sort of live within the orbit of that,”** she reflects on their lives intertwined with the mining culture. 

**“I take care of what's mine by Emmaline Zanelli** is on display at **Samstag Gallery** until **November 29, 2024**. 

**Magic Cave**, a companion installation, can be seen at **ACE Gallery** until **December 14, 2024**.

South Australian artist Emmaline Zanelli wanted to understand what life was like for young people in a remote desert mining town. So she took a bunch of cameras and went to meet the young people living there.

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