AFW + NFSA #61: My Survival as an Aboriginal (1978)

Directed by Essie Coffey. 50 mins. 16mm projection. $10 tix.

8pm Tues 28th November
The Brunswick Green, 313/315 Sydney Road, Brunswick.

Join us for our final screening of 2023 with a special presentation of Essie Coffey’s landmark 1978 documentary ‘My Survival as an Aboriginal’, which tells the story of Murawarri woman Essie Coffey and her life in the township of Brewarrina, or Dodge City, as it is also known.

“Essie Coffey OAM was a Murawarri activist, advocate and filmmaker concerned about the influence of white culture and education on Indigenous children. As seen in her groundbreaking documentary, My Survival as an Aboriginal (1978), she taught culture – and the importance of cultural knowledge – to her community. Importantly, her documentary also exposed how First Peoples were marginalised in all aspects of their lives, from school to wider society. The treatment of First Peoples laid bare in her documentary reached wider audiences through screenings at prestigious Australian and international film festivals, where the film won numerous awards.”
– The Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons.

We acknowledge that this event will be taking place on Wurundjeri Land. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.