PAINTING COUNTRY follows a journey back to the traditional country of ten Indigenous artists from the town of Balgo in North West Australia. Their art is famous for its hot bright colours, bright composition and creative brush techniques. Its origins lie in the traditional designs done in sand and body paintings. But in less than 20 years it has evolved into one of the most innovative movements of modern art in Australia. The film intimately portrays the life and humour of the artists. It reveals how white settlement forced them to leave their country and why their relationship with the land is still fundamental to their existence.