Did someone say movie night?

We're not sure about you, but we've suffered from some serious COVID-19 brain freeze, when we clock off from our WFH office space at 5:30pm and think…now what? Well, to simplify the process and satiate all your content desires, we have curated a list of some incredible Indigenous films and TV specials. Not only will this help thaw your mind, but it will broaden your perspectives in a time when we're all starved for sense of community and togetherness. 
 
ABC Indigenous collection 
This is a short, snackable panel discussion on the portrayal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the media. It's hosted by Brooke Boney, a journalist and Triple J presenter and Gamilaroi/Gomerio woman. She mediates four panel members, all Indigenous women who work in the creative and performing arts industries in Australia, and opens a discussion on their experiences and perspectives on Indigenous representation in the media.
 
ABC Indigenous Documentary Collections 
This is an excellent resource which hosts a collection of insightful true stories about members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. One that impacted me the most, was The Australian Dream. A moving documentary which explores AFL legend, Adam Goodes' journey in the media spotlight. It provides a unique and confronting reality, that despite being one of the best in his field, his career was shadowed by themes of race, identity and belonging in Australia today.

 
Indigenous films in chronological order
This link provides an extensive list of Indigenous films and shows from 1928-2020 and a link to watch, or a way to purchase if it's not available for free viewing.
 
However, big lists like that can be overwhelming… to simplify the selection process, our Social Impact coordinator Zoe Sims has curated a list of her top Indigenous film picks, a mix of feel good, drama and history to cater for any genre preference. 

• The Sapphires  
  Set in 1968, this feel-good drama follows four young, talented Australian Aboriginal signers as they learn about love, friendship and war. 
  
  
• Bran Nue Dae 
  A musical comedy which follows the journey of a rebellious boy who runs away from a Catholic boarding school and tries to hitchhike to his Aboriginal home in Australia.
  
  
• Top end Wedding
  A romantic comedy which follows couple Lauren and Ned how have 10 days to find Lauren's mother who has gone AWOL in the remote far north of Australia.
  
  
• Occupation: Native 
  A satirical perspective on Australian history through an Aboriginal lens. Aboriginal filmmaker Trisha Morton-Thomas re-defines the history books starting from Captain James Cook to the contemporary political issues around reconciliation. What is apparent throughout, is the unwavering spirit of resilience in Aboriginal communities.
  
  
• Mabo
  The portrayal of one of Australia's national heroes: Eddie Koiki Mabo, the Torres Strait Islander who left school at age 15, yet spearheaded the High Court challenge that overthrew the fiction of terra nullius.
  
  
• Nightingale
  Follows a young Irish convict as she chases a British officer through the Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence the man committed against her family. On the way, she enlists the services of Aboriginal tracker Billy, who is marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.
  
  
• Rabbit Proof Fence 
  Three mixed-race girls are torn brutally from their Aboriginal mother and sent over a thousand miles away to a training camp for domestic workers as part of a government policy to integrate them into white society. Linking the camp and their distant home territory is a vast rabbit-proof fence, which stretches from one coast to another and just might help the girls find their way back.
  
  
• Jasper Jones 
  The life of Charlie Bucktin, a bookish 14-year-old, changes irrevocably the night Jasper Jones shows him the dead body of Laura Wishart. In the summer holidays of 1969, Charlie sets out to find her killer. 
  
  
• Toomelah
  A drama which follows an Aboriginal boy suspended from school as he navigates a broken home and trying to join the ranks of a gang of drug dealers.
  
  
• Kriol Kitchen cooking show  
  Kriol Kitchen makes the connection between cuisine and Australian history, showing just how fragrant Australia is with diversity and culture.
  
  

Kids options https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/jarjums
We know that a lot of the above content is for adult eyes only, and many of you would be in the position of WFH with your children around too. Therefore, we also have some TV shows from NITV from the Jarjums (meaning children) section which include:

• Little J & Big Cuz
• Mugu Kids
• Bizou
• Welcome to Wapos Bay
• Mysterious Cities of Gold
• Move it Mob Style
• Bushwacked

Hopefully all of the above will help to broaden your perspectives and highten a sense of community spirit at a time when one can feel quite isolated. If you sift through it super quickly, we're always looking for more ways to keep your minds and bodies busy during this uneasy time, so stay tuned.

 

Do you have any questions? Get in touch today, and we will connect you with the right person in our team.

Koskela is proud to be the first furniture and homewares company in Australia to be a Certified B Corporation®.