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Synopsis

A story of resistance across generations, the power of family and the unrelenting struggle for justice in a country that remains in denial.

Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe stands as part of a long line of Indigenous resistance to invasion.

This 53 minute documentary shows the making of this modern leader and tracks the resurgence of a powerful Black, Indigenous, anti-colonial movement that is currently reshaping the country.

Our Warrior looks back at Robbie’s childhood, his family and explores the emergence of his radical politics in the formative years of Black Power in Australia, his apprenticeship in the 1970's under Dr Bruce McGuiness, and his emergence as one of the most controversial and uncompromising activists in Australia today.

This film examines his political impact as an activist, how he sustains himself against such great odds and whom he has influenced. In doing so the film uncovers the story of how resistance and resilience is transmitted across generations and the power of family.

He remains a fierce and unrelenting advocate today.

Running time: 53 minutes

World Premiere Festival screening at Birrarangga Film Festival 17 March 2025

Screening info available on ourwarriordoco.com

Film Festivals see: Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe - FilmFreeway

Follow Our Warrior in Instagram @ourwarriordoco

The people affected by the British atomic weapons tests at Emu Fields and Maralinga in the 1950's and 60's remain haunted and deeply impacted. This short film extracts the memories of Aboriginal elders who experienced the fallout, alongside those of Australian atomic veterans who helped set up and execute those fateful and deadly tests. Their memories mix and correlate, as they gaze across the same desert landscape half a century later.

A people speak out for their river, and for their future

The Hidden Valley gold and silver mine in the Morobe Province is affecting communities living along the Watut River, a long and fast-flowing river in the lush mountains of Papua New Guinea.

In this evocative and beautifully shot short documentary we hear how indigenous models of development are clashing with those imposed by mining companies and government when they are not listening to local landowners.

We hear from a diverse range of local community representatives, community workers and landowners as they describe the impacts of this joint Australian - South African owned mine as well as the way forward to a more sustainable future.

Under threat and under-recognised, this beautiful Victorian wetland is home to 129 bird species and a community of humans out to save it.

The development proposal that was featured in this film was rejected by the local Council after a long campaign by residents.

Multiple other threats remain however.

This 8 minute documentary was created in 2012.

For more information go to:
spiffa.org/tootgarook-swamp.html

Confronting the military industrial surveillance complex

A documentary by multi-award winning Australian filmmaker, David Bradbury. A window into the passions and politics of the modern Australian peace movement.

Shot during the action-packed 2014 Canberra Peace Convergence at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Waging Peace tracks a convoy of activists who set out to break the world record for the most protest actions on a single day. Featuring Senator Scott Ludlum, US Iraq War veteran, Vince Emanuele and Bundjalung Elder Vincent Duraux, the film concludes with the powerful, historically significant Frontier Wars March on Anzac Day.

Responding to the perfect storm of wars, climate change and the global surveillance state, today's peace activists act with strategy and gusto; by targeting the industries and institutions which drive Australia's complicity and challenging the deepest of our cultural assumptions about war and Australia's history.

War On Trial documentary - Oficial Selection Global Peace Film Festival 2016. Now available for screenings, on DVD and Video on Demand.

See www.facebook.com/warontrial/ for screening details.

In July 2013, two Australian peace activists took it upon themselves to deliberately damage an Australian Army Tiger Attack helicopter. Motivated by the infamous Collateral Murder video that was released by Wikileaks three years earlier and the global Ploughshares movement, Bryan Law and Graeme Dunstan faced years in prison for criminal damage worth $162,000. Bryan died of a heart attack only months before they were due to face trial. Graeme would have to face the court alone.

This new documentary from David Bradbury covers the intense three day trial, the motivations and strategies as the Australian peace movement put the country's involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan on public trial for the first time.