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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Archie Roach: ‘Took the Children Away’ short version

2011

Archie Roach: ‘Took the Children Away’ short version

2011

  • NFSA IDJHDPMTK4
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormDocumentary
  • Duration1 hr, 22 mins, 28 secs
  • GenresIndigenous themes or stories, Indigenous as subject, Popular music
  • Year2011
  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter talk about their experiences as members of the Stolen Generations. Archie was forcibly separated from his family, who were living at the Framlingham Mission in Victoria, when he was two years old. Ruby was stolen from her family in South Australia when she was eight years old.

The clip also features their performance of 'Took the Children Away' from Murundak - Songs of Freedom, a documentary featuring some of Australia's best known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, released in 2011. The word Murundak means alive in Woiwurrung language spoken by the Kulin people around The Yarra in Victoria.

The cross-cutting between the live performance of 'Took the Children Away' and the backstory provided by Archie and Ruby is done seamlessly. It enriches both the song and interview.

Archie says in his autobiography Tell Me Why (2019) '...it's my healing song. Through songs, I have been able to deal with the pain and trauma in a more positive way. Every time I sing it, I let a little bit of the hurt and the trauma go'.

CREDITS

Directors Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd Editor Natasha Gadd Producers Natasha Gadd and Philippa Campey Executive Producer Michael McMahon Associate Producer Sarah Bond Scriptwriters Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham Cinematographers Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham

  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter talk about their experiences as members of the Stolen Generations. Archie was forcibly separated from his family, who were living at the Framlingham Mission in Victoria, when he was two years old. Ruby was stolen from her family in South Australia when she was eight years old.

The clip also features their performance of 'Took the Children Away' from Murundak - Songs of Freedom, a documentary featuring some of Australia's best known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, released in 2011. The word Murundak means alive in Woiwurrung language spoken by the Kulin people around The Yarra in Victoria.

The cross-cutting between the live performance of 'Took the Children Away' and the backstory provided by Archie and Ruby is done seamlessly. It enriches both the song and interview.

Archie says in his autobiography Tell Me Why (2019) '...it's my healing song. Through songs, I have been able to deal with the pain and trauma in a more positive way. Every time I sing it, I let a little bit of the hurt and the trauma go'.

CREDITS

Directors Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd Editor Natasha Gadd Producers Natasha Gadd and Philippa Campey Executive Producer Michael McMahon Associate Producer Sarah Bond Scriptwriters Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham Cinematographers Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham

  • Directors
    Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd
    Editor
    Natasha Gadd
    Producers
    Natasha Gadd and Philippa Campey
    Executive Producer
    Michael McMahon
    Associate Producer
    Sarah Bond
    Scriptwriters
    Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham
    Cinematographers
    Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham
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