Wash My Soul in the River's Flow

Go behind the scenes, and onto the stage, of a legendary concert to discover the story of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, told in song – a story that should be told to every Australian.

In 2004, one of Australia’s most iconic musical duos, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, joined forces with Paul Grabowsky’s Australian Art Orchestra for an extraordinary performance two years in the making. Kura Tungar: Songs from the River was a multimedia song cycle that recounted the lives of Roach and Hunter – members of the Stolen Generations who found each other – and their unrelenting love of music. Commissioned by Robyn Archer, the show was met with great acclaim and won that year’s Helpmann Award for Best Australian Contemporary Concert.

Working with Roach himself, director and producer Philippa Bateman (Jindabyne) has crafted footage from the performance and its rehearsals as well as behind-the-scenes interviews and insights into not just a celebratory portrait of two remarkable artists, but also a testament to the fortitude of Aboriginal Australians who have turned their experiences of injustice into expressions of moving beauty. Named after one of Kura Tungar’s central songs, Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow is a vital document on the transformative power of love, song and connection to country.

Director Philippa Bateman will be joining us in the cinema to introduce the 6pm and 8.15pm sessions on Monday 6 December.