Click on our logo to return to home Television Program
Help
Television
News
Learn English
About
Tuning In
 Chant of the Scrub Turkey
Chant of the Scrub Turkey
In the green hills of South East Queensland, there's a Buddhist commune called Frogs Hollow. Curled amidst lush rainforest, peaceful streams and abundant wildlife, it seems tranquil enough. But all is not bliss in this idyllic setting. Two years ago, a guest at Frogs Hollow accidentally killed a scrub turkey. This was not only illegal but very foolish. The small and reasonably well-behaved population of turkeys retaliated. Their numbers grew, their behaviour became aggressive and their intention became clear - to make life a misery for every two-legged mammal they could find. They invaded the community's homes and trashed their much-loved and slaved-over veggie patches. The community, inspired by their Buddhist teachings, are now responding with their own plans for karmic redemption - good thoughts, mirrors, loud music and decoy gardens. It's animals versus people, nature versus civilisation, Darwin versus Buddha - and so far, the turkeys are winning. Formed 27 years ago, Frogs Hollow comprises seven houses nestled in the 247 acres of prime real estate 10 minutes from the main street of Maleny in Queensland. It was formed along very specific lines - non-violence, cooperation, environmental values, respect and a Buddhist approach to life. Their approach to problem solving is consensus - although as we see, it doesn't always go smoothly. The half hour documentary, a mix of interviews and observational style footage, takes a light hearted look at the things that drive us crazy and over which we have no control. At Frogs Hollow, the turkeys become the obstruction to true enlightenment which prompts the ultimate question: how do we live with the day to day reality of our ideologies? This is the key dilemma of Chant of the Scrub Turkey and one with which all the characters are grappling. Turkey expert, Ric Nattrass, becomes the voice of the turkey - anthropomorphising and speaking on their behalf. He fills in all the gaps about why a turkey does what a turkey does, which is, using Ric's term, 'because of Mum Nature'.
When to watch
Current Location: American Samoa
Current Location: Bangladesh
Current Location: Bhutan
Current Location: Brunei
Current Location: Burma
Current Location: Cambodia
Current Location: China
Current Location: Cook Islands
Current Location: East Timor
Current Location: Fiji
Current Location: French Polynesia
Current Location: Guam
Current Location: Hong Kong
Current Location: India
Current Location: Indonesia
Current Location: Japan
Current Location: Kiribati
Current Location: Laos
Current Location: Macau
Current Location: Malaysia
Current Location: Maldives, The
Current Location: Marshall Islands
Current Location: Micronesia
Current Location: Mongolia
Current Location: Nauru
Current Location: Nepal
Current Location: New Caledonia
Current Location: Niue
Current Location: North Korea
Current Location: Northern Marianas
Current Location: Pakistan
Current Location: Palau
Current Location: Papua New Guinea
Current Location: Philippines
Current Location: Samoa
Current Location: Singapore
Current Location: Solomon Islands
Current Location: South Korea
Current Location: Sri Lanka
Current Location: Taiwan
Current Location: Thailand
Current Location: Tokelau
Current Location: Tonga
Current Location: Tuvalu
Current Location: Vanuatu
Current Location: Vietnam - Programming may be one hour delayed.
Current Location: Wallis and Futuna
set TV scheduleprint TV schedule
 
Running Time: 25 mins
 
  HOME    CONTACT US    SITE MAP    LEGALS    NEWS SOURCES    © ABC 2007 
ANU