An International Indigenous anthology will debut at the Sydney Film Festival.
We Are Still Here brings together eight stories from 10 Indigenous directors hailing from Australia, Aotearoa and the South Pacific.
Comprised of eight 'chapters', the film tells the stories of eight characters across 1,000-years of history.
Platforming Indigenous perspectives
Taking form pre-COVID, We Are Still Here was originally designed to respond to the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival.
However, it took a different form as production forged ahead through the pandemic.
"We found, over the development, that we had shared so many ways of living, and similar responses to colonisation,” said Wiradjuri producer, Mitchell Stanley.
"We had an opportunity to showcase our people and show the strength and resilience and everything our people have lived through while being colonised.”
Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Te Rārawa, Ngāti Kuri producer, Mia Henry-Teirney said the filmmakers quickly realised they were sending the “same message”.
Still from We Are Still Here debuting at the Sydney Film Festival Source: Supplied
“It was that despite all of these traumatic things, we survived,” she said.
“We still love, we still are kind and patient. It's been really lovely seeing these shared experiences across Aotearoa and Australia, and the Pacific and how we tell the same story in different ways.”
Born from a partnership between Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and NZFC, We Are Still Here features Indigenous directors, Beck Cole, Danielle MacLean, Tracey Rigney, Dena Curtis, Tim Worrall, Richard Curtis, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Chantelle Burgoyn and Mario Gaoa.
Mr Stanley said that the weaving of international Indigenous perspectives inspires solidarity.
"I think by connecting our mob here in Australia with the Māori and Pacific Islanders . . we can see that what happened to us, happened to other countries," he said.
“All of those things we were told in society throughout the ages - that we are the second-class citizens, this is the way things work in a British colony, that didn’t just happen to us.
“Our stories, our themes and our responses are so similar, so I hope those watching walk away feeling that connectedness.”
Still from debut film We Are Still Here. Source: Supplied
The Debut
We Are Still Here will have its World Premiere at the 69th festival at Sydney’s State Theatre in early June.
The film has been selected to open the prestigious event. Ms Henry-Teirney said there was no better place for it to debut.
"It's a true honour to be part of the Sydney Film Festival . . . we are so pleased that it has found its home there.”
For Ms Henry-Teirney, the festival provides a powerful platform for the stories of her people
"We make stories for our own. I like to make stories that change the way we see ourselves, not only on screen but our place in the world - our place as Indigenous people,” she said.
“I hope that when people come to see the film, they can emphasise with the stories we are telling. These stories are global Indigenous issues.”
Having the premier on home-ground, Mr Stanley hopes We Are Still Here can serve as inspiration.
"We want them to walk away with a sense of pride. They should be watching the film and see themselves in it, or their mob, their community or their family,” he said.
