Why Me?
Why Me? is a film featuring five Aboriginal people in four stories, selected at random, showing the human costs of a policy which removed children from their families and country.
The film shows the careful work of restoring meaning and connection to dislocated lives. Re-enacted scenes from the 1950’s and 60’s in three of the stories puts viewers in touch with the emotional journey of the children of our stolen generation.
Sid Graham, Doris Kartinyeri, Lyn Jones, Brenda Rogerson and Evelyn Rogerson who act their own stories in the film received a heros welcome for their willingness to open themselves to the pain of their past and share their story for the benefit of others in the same position.
The children who feature in the 1950’s and 60’s recreations of Sid and Doris’ stories are:
- Shana Karpany who plays young Doris
- Tjimarri Sanderson-Milera who plays young Sid
- Toni Karpany who plays a girl in an institution
- Jemima Rickett who plays young Doreen
- Tianna Sansbury who also plays a girl in an institution
- Jake Dodd who plays a child being removed
- Peter Love/Sumner who plays a young boy in the race at Norwood Primary School
- Lisa Karpany who plays young Brenda
Even though Why Me? shows the trauma of separation, it is a positive film which demonstrates the enormous inner strength, resilience and determination of Aboriginal people to survive as a race and to hold onto their identity and culture. It also shows the importance of family, who you are and where you are from.
Acknowledging Australia’s past practices and policies and the effect on the Aboriginal community is an important part of healing and provides a way forward.
A Light Image Production, the film was produced by Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc. (SA Link-Up Program), and was supported by the South Australian Film Corporation, Department of Health and Ageing (Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health) and the SA Regional Centre for Social and Emotional Well Being.
To purchase as a DVD, please contact Ronin Films:
PO Box 1005
Civic Square
Canberra ACT 2608 Australia
Phone: (02) 6248 0851
Fax (02) 6249 1640
Email: orders@roninfilms.com.au
Website: http://www.roninfilms.com.au/
