A short film starring Aboriginal puppets will be distributed to remote communities across Australia to educate locals about the importance of getting their eyes checked. 

Looking Good tells a humorous story about one boy’s journey to help his grandmother on her quest to see clearly. It was produced by Rebel Films in collaboration with The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation,

Maree O’Hara, Eye Health Coordinator with Anyinginyi, says that the DVD production is a new and unique way to communicate important eye health messages to adults and children in remote communities. 

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have up to six times the rate of vision loss compared to other Australians - and many of those most badly affected live in regional and remote communities,” Ms O’Hara says.

“Whether it’s because you need a simple pair of glasses, or you need an operation to reverse a blinding condition like cataract, the most important message is that if people value their sight, their quality of life can improve.”

“Everyone should also know that if you have a problem with your eyes, more often than not, you’ll be able to treat that problem – and there are people out there who can help.”

Anyinginyi’s original idea to create a DVD became a reality through the support of The Fred Hollows Foundation, who continue to work with local Indigenous organisations to improve Indigenous eye health. Rebel Films was engaged to produce, write and direct the film as they have experience, expertise and a proven track record producing culturally appropriate health education audiovisual material.

The film was shot in Elliott, in the Northern Territory, to ensure it accurately reflected community life and local community members voiced the puppet characters. 

Ms O’Hara is confident that Looking Good will encourage more people to visit the health clinic and get their eyes checked.

“We’ve already shown the film in the community and the reaction we got to it was really positive. It’s a good laugh, but above all else it created a dialogue between grandparents, parents and their kids around just how important this issue is."

The DVD will be distributed to Aboriginal controlled health centres, health services and communities across remote Australia.