Director's Statement
I never got to meet my uncle Robert and despite my constant intrigue, my family never spoke about him. He disappeared over the horizon some thirty years ago – and he never came back. I knew something bad had happened and I always wanted to know more, but they wouldn’t tell me.
Then it was too late… just before Christmas we found out uncle Robert had died.
Uncle Robert had been living in an aboriginal community in Onslow, a remote fishing town in the North-West of Western Australia. A thousand miles away. Dad was the only member of my family that had decided to go to his funeral. I went with him, and being a filmmaker I decided to take my camera. I didn’t know that I was going to make a documentary, but something compelled me to record this experience. For some reason, I knew the journey was going to be special.
To our surprise, Dad and I were greeted with love and embraced by the Onslow community just because we were related to Robert. They called him ‘Bluey’, ‘bro’ and ‘pop’. He had been initiated into their culture and allowed to visit their sacred sites – a privilege given only to male Aborigines. They loved him. They respected him. And they wept for him. He had found new family a thousand miles from home. It was then that I knew this was a story that I wanted to share. I liked the idea that family can be found in many different places – and that your family is always your family. Always.
Making a film about my family was always going to be challenging. I was very conscious of wanting to ‘do the story justice’ while also telling each person’s version of events accurately, and respectfully. I am pleased to say that my family is very happy with the film and we are all pleased to be sharing our experience with you. We hope you enjoy our story.
