Abba & Elvis in the Outback follows Trundle’s ambitious bid to harness the power of music festivals for economic survival and regional pride.
A new documentary premiering on SBS On Demand this Thursday shines a spotlight on the rural town of Trundle, NSW, as it sets out to establish an ABBA Tribute Festival in the hopes of replicating the success of neighbouring Parkes’ Elvis Festival.
The film, titled ABBA & Elvis in the Outback, follows Trundle’s efforts to celebrate the Swedish pop icons as a means of securing economic resilience, mirroring the approach taken by Parkes, which has become well known for its annual celebration dedicated to Elvis Presley. Both towns have embraced international musical legends as a way to support local economies and foster community spirit.
Directed by Tahyna Tozzi MacManus, whose own family emigrated to Parkes, the documentary delves into the ongoing homage paid to Elvis in the region, with murals, monuments, and an annual festival said to contribute around $15 million to the local economy.
The film was produced by the female-led company Neon Jane, and seeks to portray the determination of rural communities in the face of recurring hardships such as droughts, floods, and even locust plagues.
According to MacManus, the documentary is as much about resilience as it is about celebration.
“There’s something beautiful and unexpectedly moving about these towns choosing joy, and international pop icons, as a means to endure. Trundle’s celebration of ABBA is filled with pride and positivity.
Then nearby, Parkes feels like an international shrine to The King himself. What struck me was the humour and heart in how these communities reinvent themselves in the face of hardship.
This documentary is our love letter to rural Australia. I hope audiences enjoy the spectacle, but also see the strength – the role these communities play in our cultural fabric, and how ABBA and Elvis helped keep their spirit alive.”
ABBA & Elvis in the Outback is produced by Kelly Tomasich and Tahyna Tozzi MacManus, with executive producers Keith Rodger and Josh Pomeranz. The film’s editors include MacManus and Kelly Cameron, with cinematography by Thomaz Labanca.
