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Australian Aboriginal movies and films

Movies with Aboriginal content were rare before the mid-1990s. It wasn't before the international success of the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence that the awareness for Aboriginal issues increased, even in Europe where this film was screened for almost half a year in Germany. Many of the films listed here are available on DVD or VHS tapes.

The section "Movies by non-Indigenous directors" lists movies with Aboriginal topics which were directed by non-Aboriginal people whereas "Movies by Aboriginal directors" do not nessessarily cover Aboriginal topics.

2008
Aboriginal FilmTimelineAboriginal film timeline

An Indigenous film timeline lists the movies below in chronological order.

Browse for Aboriginal movie DVDs in my Aboriginal Book Store.

Cinema is performance, that's how us blackfellas have connected with it. It's where we come from, with our storytelling. A lot of dreaming stories are about moral stories and news and teaching... that's the way Indigenous filmmakers are thinking.—Warwick Thornton, Aboriginal director [1]

Tudawali

Get a copy of Tudawali, Ernie Dingo's outstanding portrayal of Robert Tudawali, the first Aboriginal film star, whose lead role in Jedda is iconic in Australian cinema.

Tudawali is out now on DVD.

Films by non-Indigenous directors

Click table headers to sort films by name, director, film type or year.

Film titleDirectorMovie typeYear
A Dying ShamePaul Roydocumentary1997
A Northern TownRachel Landersdocumentary2008
Aboriginal RulesLiam Campbelldocumentary2007
Always Was Always Will BeMartha Ansara et al.documentary1989
AustraliaBaz Luhrmannepic adventure2008
Australian RulesPaul Goldmandrama2002
BabakiueriaDon Featherstonecomedy1987
BackroadsPhillip Noycedrama1977
BastardyAmiel Courtin-Wilsondocumentary2008
Benny and The DreamersIvo Burumdocumentary1993
Between The Lines: The Initiation Of Adam HillMonica Garriga, Esther Lozanodocumentary2007
Beyond SorryDavid Vadiveloodocumentary2003
Beyond The DreamtimeJohn Linddocumentary1994
Black And WhiteCraig Lahiffdrama2002
BlackfellasJames Ricketsondrama1993
BlowbackDavid Hansencomedy/short2009
Bran Nue Dae (musical)Tom Zubryckidocumentary1991
Buried CountryAndy Nehldocumentary2000
Burned BridgePaul Faint et al.drama/series2003
Bush BikesDavid Vadivelooshort2002
Call me MumMargot Nashdrama2006
ContactBentley Dean, Martin Butlerdocumentary2009
Coolbaroo ClubRoger Scholesdocumentary1996
Dead HeartNick Parsonsdrama1997
DeadlyEsben Stormdrama1992
Dreaming of LordsBob Ellisdocumentary1988
EyeAndy Canny, Donna McCrumdocumentary2010
From The AshesDean Gibsondocumentary2009
HeartlandPaul Faint et al.drama/series2003
How The West Was LostDavid Noakesdocumentary1987
In My Father's CountryTom Murraydocumentary2008
JeddaCharles Chauveldrama1955
JindabyneRay Lawrencedrama2006
Journey out of DarknessJames Trainorepic1967
Kalkadoon ManBrendan Fletcherdocumentary2004
KanyiniMelanie Hogandocumentary2006
KeeperAli Russelldocumentary2010
Liyarn NgarnMartin Mhandodocumentary2007
Lousy Little SixpenceAlec Morgan, Gerry Bostockdocumentary1983
ManganinnieJohn Honeydrama1980
Mixed BagImogen Thomasdrama2008
My Home The BlockTrevor Almeidadocumentary2009
Our GenerationSinem Sabandocumentary2010
Rabbit Proof FencePhillip Noycedrama2002
Sacred GroundKim Mavromatisdocumentary2007
SeptemberPeter Carstairsdrama2007
SerenadesMojgan Khademdrama2001
Shadow Of The BoomerangDick Rossadventure, drama1960
Sisters, Pearls and Mission GirlsDavid Battydocumentary2003
Storm BoyHenri Safrandrama1976
Ten CanoesRolf de Heerdrama2006
The Chant of Jimmie BlacksmithFred Schepisidrama1978
The CircuitCatriona McKenziedrama/romance2007
The Life of Harry DareAleski Vellisdrama1995
The Fringe DwellersBruce Beresforddrama1987
The Last WavePeter Weirsuspense1977
The Naked CountryTim Burstalldrama1993
The TrackerRolf de Heerdrama2002
Think About ItRichard and Wendy Friarpolitical documentary2007
Three Boys DreamingMichael Cordelldocumentary2010
TrespassDavid Vadiveloodocumentary2002
TudawaliSteve Jodrelldrama1987
Us MobDavid Vadiveloodocumentary2005
Voices From The CapeDavid Vadiveloodocumentary2008
WalkaboutNicolas Roegdrama1971
Walkabout With Malcolm DouglasMalcolm Douglasdocumentary1967-1985
Where the Green Ants DreamWerner Herzogdocumentary1984
Why me?Rick Cavaggiondocumentary2006
Wrong Side of the RoadNed Landerdrama1981
Yolngu BoyStephen Johnson (III)drama2001

A lot of whitefellas in the press put shit on Aboriginal communities. That's one of the reasons why I make films. —Adrian Wills, Aboriginal director [2]

Films by Aboriginal directors

Click table headers to sort films by name, director, film type or year.

Film titleDirectorMovie typeYear
A Sister's LoveIvan Sendocumentary2007
Aunty ConnieIvan Sendocumentary2006
Aunty Maggie & The Womba WakgunLeah Purcellshort2009
Back SeatPauline Whymandrama2007
Barngngrnn Marrangu StoryQueenie Brennanshort/documentary2009
BedevilTracey Moffattdrama1993
Beneath CloudsIvan Sendrama2002
Big FellaMichael Longbottomdocumentary2010
Bit of Black Businessvariouscompilation2007
Black Chicks TalkingLeah Purcelldocumentary2002
BloodlinesJacob Nashshort2007
Bollywood DreamingCornel Oziesshort2007
Bourke BoyAdrian Willsshort2009
Boxing For Palm IslandAdrian Willsdocumentary2010
Bran Nue DaeRachel Perkinsmusical,comedy2010
Bush MechanicsDavid Battycomedy2001
Case 442Mitch Torresdrama2005
Checkerboard LoveAnita Heissshort2004
Courting With JusticeDebbie Carmodydocumentary2007
Crocodile DreamingDarlene Johnsondrama2007
CustardMichelle Blancharddrama2007
Daniel's 21stAdrian Willsshort2009
Days Like TheseMartin Leroy Adamsdrama2007
Done Dirt CheapDebbie Carmodyshort2007
DreamlandIvan SenSci-Fi/UFO2009
Feel My AbsenceKyas Sherriffshort2004
Fire TalkerIvan Sendocumentary2008
First AustraliansRachel Perkins, Darren Daledocumentary2008
Fitzroy Stars: More Than a GameJohn Hardingdocumentary2008
Fly, Peewee, FlySally Rileyshort1995
Freedom RideRachel Perkins and Ned R Landerdocumentary1993
Green BushWarwick Thorntondrama2005
Gulpilil: One Red BloodDarlene Johnsondocumentary2002
HushDena Curtiscomedy2007
In a League Of Their OwnSteven McGregordocumentary2009
Island FettlersKelrick Martindocumentary2006
Jackie JackieAdrian Willisshort2007
JacobDena Curtisshort2009
Jindalee LadyBrian Syrondrama1992
JourneyIvan Senshort1997
KwatyeTrisha Morton-Thomascomedy2007
La Perouse PanthersMichael Longbottomdocumentary2006
Lani's StoryGenevieve Grievesdocumentary2009
Mad MorroKelrick Martindrama2007
Making Samson & DelilahBeck Coledocumentary2009
Marluku Wirlinyi - Kangaroo HuntersTimothy J. Marshall & Craig J. Williamsdocumentary1998
MimiWarwick Thorntonshort2002
Mirror ImagesDaniel Kingshort2001
My Bed Your BedErica Glynn short1998
My Brother VinnieSteven McGregordocumentary2006
My Life As I Live ItEssie Coffeydocumentary1993
My Survival As An AboriginalEssie Coffeydocumentary1978
My Uncle BlueyBritt Arthurdocumentary2009
NanaWarwick Thorntonshort2007
Nia's MelancholySio Tusafa'aaefilishort2009
Nigger LoversRhonda Hagandocumentary2007
Night Cries: A Rural TragedyTracey Moffattshort1990
Nin's BrotherMary Munrodocumentary2010
No Way to ForgetRichard Franklandshort1996
Nundhirribala's DreamElla Geiashort2009
One Tree, One ManJedda Puruntatameridocumentary2008
One Night the MoonRachel Perkinsmusical/drama2001
One River All RiversTom E Lewisshort2008
Over d-fenceDestiny Deacondrama2004
Pay BackWarwick Thorntonshort1996
Plains EmptyBeck Coleshort2004
RadianceRachel Perkinsdrama1998
RalphDeborah Mailmanshort2009
River of No ReturnDarlene Johnsondocumentary2008
Sa Black ThingRima Tamoushort2005
Samson & DelilahWarwick Thorntondrama2009
Satellite BoyCatriona McKenziefamily2012
SharpeyeAaron Fa'aososhort2007
Shifting Shelter 3Ivan Sendocumentary2006
Sister, if You Only KnewJanet Isaacdocumentary1975
Spirit StonesAlan Collinsdocumentary2007
Stolen GenerationsDarlene Johnsondocumentary2000
Stone Bros.Richard Franklandcomedy2009
StorytimeJub Clercshort2007
TearsIvan Senshort1998
The Djarn DjarnsWayne Blairshort2004
The FarmRomaine Moretonshort2009
The ForgottenGlen Stasiukdocumentary2003
The InterventionJulie Nimmodocumentary2008
The OpportunistsDaniel Kingshort2000
The Party ShoesMichelle Blanchardshort2009
The Third NoteCatriona Mackenzieshort2000
The TurtleKelli Crossshort2007
Too LateMichael Longbottomshort2007
Too Little JusticeDean Francisshort2004
Two Big BoysJon Bellshort2007
Vote Yes for AboriginesFrances Peters-Littledocumentary2007
Wanja: Warrior DogAngie Abdilladocumentary2007
Warm StrangersIvan Senshort1997
When Colin Met JoyceRima Tamoudocumentary2007
WindIvan Senshort1999
Who Paintin' Dis Wandjina?Taryne Laffarshort2008
YajilarraMelanie Hogandocumentary2009
Yellow FellaIvan Senshort2005
Yolngu Guya DjamamirrFrank Djirrimbilpilwy Garawirritjashort2008

[Aboriginal people are] one of the globe's invisible people. Most know them only from tourist ads, in which they appear almost as totems, evoking Outback exotica. A smaller number know some of their art, the colorful dot paintings of a strange, sunburned landscape. Yet there are few images that convey the humanity of Australia's struggling Aboriginal population, who [...] can seem invisible even at home. But that may be starting to change, thanks to the movies. —The Miami Herald, Dec. 15, 2002

If you have heard of a movie not listed here, please contact me.

$7.5m
Box office result of Bran Nue Dae in July 2010, which is the second best of the past 12 months [3].
$3.2m
Box office result of Samson And Delilah in July 2010, which puts the movie in sixth place [3].

Movies listed for research

Many more films are out there. I've created a list of movies waiting for research where you might find a film not listed here.

Fact: The original versions of more than 90% of all Australian films made during the pre-1930 silent era are missing.

Masthead image ©ourtesy Melanie Kuipers, www.sxc.hu. [1] 'Shot from the heart', Deadly Vibe 147, 5/2009 p.5 [2] 'Tears, laughs and plenty more', Koori Mail 476 p.28 [3] SMH, 17/7/2010

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