FFGR
BLACKBIRD

Amie Batalibasi
Australia 2015 13 Digital File Color
Film description
A brother and sister from the Solomon Islands are forced to leave their homeland and move to Australia, at the end of the 19th century, working as modern Helots at a sugar plantation. Juggling the memories from home and the harsh reality of uprooting, the camera juxtaposes images of the overgrown landscapes with the monotony of the fields and everyday labor. Shedding light on one of the darkest and lesser-known pages of Australian history, the “sugar slaves”, this lyrical short film is a declaration of determination and desire for survival.
Associate Producers: John Harvey & Lia Pa’apa’a
Supervising Producer: Sandra Sciberras
Community Consultant: Elizabeth Warren









